The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced the indictment of Jose Miguel Molina-Echavarria, a 40-year-old Mexican citizen residing in Hagerstown, Maryland. The federal grand jury charged him on May 28, 2025, with illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed.
Acting United States Attorney John C. Gurganus stated that the indictment alleges Molina-Echavarria reentered the country and was discovered in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, on May 18, 2025. He had been removed from the U.S. in July 2024 near Brownsville, Texas, without obtaining permission to return.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is handling the prosecution.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime. This operation involves resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Under federal law, the maximum penalty for this offense includes two years of imprisonment, supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing is determined by a judge based on federal sentencing statutes and guidelines.
It is important to note that indictments are merely allegations; all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
