Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Jorge Mazariegos-De Leon, a 39-year-old Mexican national, pleaded guilty in Tampa, Florida, on November 14, 2025, to illegal reentry into the United States after having been previously removed. He faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison; however, a sentencing date has not yet been set.
Case Details
According to court documents, Mazariegos-De Leon voluntarily entered the United States at some point between May 2014 and April 2024. He did so with full knowledge that he had been previously removed from the country on two separate occasions in 2014 and was not legally permitted to reenter.
On April 1, 2024, officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO) located and apprehended Mazariegos-De Leon in Manatee County, Florida.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice. The operation marshals federal resources to address illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and enhance community safety.
The investigation into Mazariegos-De Leon was conducted by ICE-ERO. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III, prosecuted the case, which was announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida.
Enforcement of Immigration Laws
Mazariegos-De Leon’s guilty plea highlights the continuous efforts by federal authorities to enforce immigration laws and deter individuals who have been previously deported from illegally reentering the United States.
