A federal grand jury has indicted Favio Efrain Rodas-Cardona, a 31-year-old Guatemalan citizen, for illegally reentering the United States after previously being 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 Rodas-Cardona was found in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 2025. Authorities allege that he had been previously removed from the United States through Texas and returned without legal authorization.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelley K. McGraw is prosecuting the case.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America,” according to the press release. Operation Take Back America is a national initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime. The initiative combines resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). More information about this initiative can be found at https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline.
If convicted, Rodas-Cardona faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison, supervised release after imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge who will consider federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
The indictment is an allegation; all individuals charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The press release notes that while the matter occurred on the date indicated, its announcement was delayed due to a government shutdown and was posted following the resumption of normal operations.
