Honduran Illegal Alien Guilty of Illegal Reentry of a Deported Alien

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DARVIN NECTALI MORADEL-VELASQUEZ ("MORADEL-VELASQUEZ"), age 40, plead guilty on April 9, 2026, to illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to court documents, MORADEL-VELASQUEZ, an illegal alien, was found in the Eastern District of Louisiana on December 31, 2025. He had previously been removed from the United States to Honduras on or about October 11, 2016. MORADEL-VELASQUEZ also has a previous conviction for domestic abuse and child endangerment. Because of these past charges, MORADEL-VELASQUEZ faces a sentencing enhancement.

MORADEL-VELASQUEZ faces a maximum penalty of ten years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to one year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

MORADEL-VELASQUEZ's sentencing is set for July 2, 2026, before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide 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).

U.S. Attorney Courcellepraised the work of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Frederick W. Veters Jr., of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.