A federal grand jury has indicted Jose Leon-Avalos, a 32-year-old Mexican national, for illegally reentering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that Leon-Avalos was previously convicted in January 2015 in Dauphin County’s Court of Common Pleas for Aggravated Assault and Attempted Indecent Assault. Following his conviction, he was removed from the United States on January 6, 2016, through Brownsville, Texas. Authorities allege that Leon-Avalos was found again in Dauphin County on or about August 26, 2025, without legal permission to return.
The investigation was conducted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen W. Dukes is handling the prosecution.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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).”
If convicted, Leon-Avalos faces a maximum penalty under federal law of up to twenty years in prison, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing would be determined by a judge according to federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
“Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.”
