The United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced on Mar. 23 that Gerardo Flores-Banda, a 48-year-old Mexican national, has been charged again for unlawfully re-entering the country less than two months after being removed following his release during an earlier prosecution.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address repeat illegal entries into the United States and enforce immigration laws. Officials say such cases are important for maintaining border security and upholding the legal process.
According to court records, Flores-Banda was discovered in the U.S. in July 2025 after previously being removed in 2012. He was charged on July 30, 2025, with unlawful re-entry and later released on bond by a magistrate judge—a decision affirmed by a district court judge. While awaiting resolution of his federal case, Flores-Banda was transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody and removed from the country in September before his case concluded. The government’s attempt to keep his case pending was denied by the district court, which dismissed it without prejudice.
Six weeks after this removal, law enforcement found Flores-Banda near Naivan Vaya, Arizona. He was indicted there for illegal presence in the country and pleaded guilty; sentencing is pending. Prosecutors now seek to reinstate the previously dismissed Michigan illegal re-entry charge based on his arrest in that state last year.
“Serial criminals like the defendant must be deterred from breaking into our country. They do not respect the law of the land. When Americans break the law, they don’t get a free ride out of the country. And this defendant should not be treated better than our citizens. He should have to face the consequences for his alleged crime,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“This case is a clear reminder that our border is closed to criminals who repeatedly violate our nation’s laws, demonstrating a blatant disregard for our legal system… The men and women of Border Patrol’s Detroit Sector remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our communities and upholding the integrity of our border,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo, Jr., U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—an initiative aimed at using Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration and related criminal activity.
