Mexican National Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Illegally Reentering the United States for the Fourth Time

Jackson, MS - A Mexican national was sentenced to two years in federal prison today for illegally reentering the United States following multiple prior deportations.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Francisco Rios-Munoz was found illegally present in Rankin, County, Mississippi on February 2, 2205, after having been previously removed from the United States three times. Rios-Munoz was encountered after being arrested by Rankin County Sheriff's Department for aggravated assault.

Rios-Munoz was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 22, 2025, and pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after removal of an alien on June 6, 2025.

Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi; Eric P. DeLaune, Special Agent-in-Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, Louisiana made the announcement.

The United States Department Homeland Security and the Rankin County Sherriff's Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber S. Jones prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated by the Mississippi Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).