A federal grand jury has indicted Jose Gertrudis Mendoza-Hernandez, a 34-year-old Guatemalan national residing in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, on charges of illegally reentering the United States after a prior removal. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
United States Attorney Brian D. Miller stated that Mendoza-Hernandez was found in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, on November 6, 2025. He had previously been removed from the country on September 14, 2023, and returned without obtaining legal permission.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelley K. McGraw is handling the prosecution.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America,” according to the release. “Operation Take Back America is 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.” The operation brings together efforts from programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). More information about Operation Take Back America can be found at https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline.
If convicted, Mendoza-Hernandez faces up to two years in prison, supervised release after imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge who will consider federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
The office emphasized that indictments are only allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
