The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that Leonardo Mendoza-Zavala, a 44-year-old citizen of Mexico, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of illegal reentry. The indictment alleges that Mendoza-Zavala was found in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, on or about June 21, 2025, after having been previously removed from the United States.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that Mendoza-Zavala had been removed from the U.S. on January 6, 2020, through Laredo, Texas. He allegedly reentered without obtaining legal permission.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations along with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is handling the prosecution.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at addressing illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. The operation utilizes resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods to combat violent crime.
Under federal law, the maximum penalty for this offense includes up to 10 years imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on federal statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that indictments are only allegations and all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
