Favio Efrain Rodas-Cardona, a 31-year-old citizen of Guatemala, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly reentering the United States illegally after being previously removed. 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 the indictment alleges Rodas-Cardona reentered the country without legal permission and was located in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 2025. Authorities reported that he had previously been removed from the U.S. through Texas.
The investigation into this case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelley K. McGraw is handling the prosecution.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, which is described as “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.” According to officials, “Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s 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 under federal law, Rodas-Cardona faces up to two years in prison, supervised release after imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
Officials emphasized that indictments are only allegations: “All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.”
The matter occurred on April 16 but was not announced earlier due to a government shutdown; it has now been released following resumption of normal operations.
