Executive Summary
- Elpidio Abelardo Perez-Perez, a 33-year-old Mexican national, was sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison for illegally reentering the U.S. after three prior deportations.
- Perez-Perez’s illegal status was discovered following his arrest on charges of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm in Escambia County.
- U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin stated the sentencing fulfills a promise by President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to address violent criminal aliens, as part of the “Operation Take Back America” initiative.
Laws and Precedent
- Elpidio Abelardo Perez-Perez was sentenced for illegally reentering the United States, a federal offense under immigration law that carries increased penalties due to his three prior deportations, underscoring the U.S. Department of Justice’s focus, as part of initiatives like Operation Take Back America, on prosecuting individuals who repeatedly violate federal immigration laws after removal.
Pensacola, FL – Elpidio Abelardo Perez-Perez, a 33-year-old Mexican national with a history of prior deportations, was sentenced to a year and one day in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. The sentencing, announced Monday by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida, follows Perez-Perez’s arrest earlier this year on charges of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm in Escambia County.
Court records indicate that Perez-Perez was found to be illegally present in the country after having been deported by immigration authorities on three previous occasions in 2010, 2012, and 2013. His most recent arrest on February 17, 2025, brought his immigration status to light during the investigation into the violent assault charges.
U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized his office’s commitment to prosecuting such cases, stating that this action fulfills a promise made by President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to address violent criminal aliens. Heekin underscored the defendant’s repeated disregard for national and state laws.
The investigation leading to Perez-Perez’s sentencing was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes was responsible for prosecuting the case.
This case is part of a broader nationwide initiative known as Operation Take Back America, which aims to leverage the Department of Justice’s full resources against illegal immigration, transnational criminal organizations, and violent crime. The initiative integrates efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Continued Enforcement
The sentencing of Perez-Perez highlights ongoing federal efforts to enforce immigration laws and address individuals who repeatedly reenter the country after deportation, particularly those with a record of violent offenses. The Department of Justice continues to prioritize cases involving criminal aliens as part of its wider strategy to enhance community safety and national security.
