Federal law enforcement agencies executed a large-scale deportation operation in Kentucky, arresting 81 illegal aliens in a four-day sweep as part of “Operation Take Back America.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Kentucky confirmed that 25 of those arrested are now facing serious federal criminal charges, as reported [1] by Breitbart.
The crackdown, based out of Louisville, saw immigration enforcement officers detaining individuals from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, India, and Palau.
Among them, 25 are now charged with crimes such as unlawful reentry, illegal firearm possession, and drug-related offenses.
Illegal aliens without criminal charges are currently in ICE custody, awaiting deportation proceedings. U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett praised the joint effort, stating:
“I commend the work of our federal law enforcement partners, prosecutors, and support personnel who worked tirelessly to make this operation a success. The aggressive investigation and prosecution of those who violate immigration laws positively impacts the security of our communities and of the Nation.”
Several individuals now face substantial prison time for their alleged crimes, including repeat offenders who have reentered the U.S. illegally despite previous deportations:
- Angel David Zuniga-Baca, 35 (Honduras): Charged with illegal firearm possession and unlawful reentry. If convicted, he faces up to 17 years in prison.
- Zoiber Hernandez-Dominguez, 50 (Mexico): Charged with illegal firearm possession. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
- Humberto Avila-Duran, 54 (Mexico): Arrested for illegal firearm possession and unlawful reentry. Previously removed from the U.S. multiple times, most recently in 2020. Faces up to 17 years if convicted.
- Humberto Avila-Murillo, 28 (Mexico): Charged with illegal firearm possession, facing up to 15 years in prison.
- Edi Diaz-Lopez, 30 (Mexico): Busted with methamphetamine and firearms while in the U.S. illegally. Charged with drug distribution, illegal firearm possession, and firearm use in drug trafficking. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years.
- Alvaro Mandujano-Rodriguez, 32 (Mexico): Found in the U.S. illegally after previous deportations, also charged with illegal firearm possession. Faces up to 17 years behind bars if convicted.
The operation was spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Nashville and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago.
Federal partners in the effort included the FBI, ATF, DEA, and the U.S. Marshals Service. These agencies are now leading investigations into each of the criminal cases.
As reported by Breitbart Texas, similar operations have taken place nationwide, including in New Mexico, where federal officers recently arrested 48 illegal aliens.
Nearly half of those arrested had prior serious criminal convictions, and several were in possession of firearms. One Venezuelan illegal alien arrested in that raid is suspected of being a member of the violent Tren de Aragua gang.
While the Biden administration continues to turn a blind eye to the border crisis, law enforcement officers are stepping up to enforce immigration laws and remove criminals from American communities.
These large-scale operations send a clear message: Illegal immigration comes with consequences, and those who break the law will be held accountable [3].