HOUSTON, Texas (Next Stamina) – A 61-year-old Mexican national was sentenced to 55 months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after a previous removal, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.

Jose Antonio Villegas-Herrera pleaded guilty to the charge on July 16, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Charles R. Eskridge presided over the sentencing, where the court reviewed Herrera’s criminal history.

This history includes a prior federal felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

Herrera was previously ordered to serve 55 months in prison for that offense.

In imposing the current sentence, the court noted that Herrera had cut off his ankle monitor and fled prior to the hearing.

Records indicate Herrera was removed from the United States in 2007.

Authorities later discovered him in Houston on July 28, 2022.

He possessed no legal authorization to be in the United States at the time of his discovery.

The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Whitney prosecuted the case.

Herrera has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prison facility to be determined in the near future.

The Source: Information in this article is based on the USAO, Southern District of Texas releases.