A federal jury in Kansas City, Missouri found Orlin Rafael Cerrato-Avilez guilty on April 22 of illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported.
Cerrato-Avilez, a 32-year-old Honduran citizen, was convicted of one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri to address immigration violations and related crimes.
According to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Cerrato-Avilez was arrested by Independence Police Department officers on March 4, 2026 during a traffic stop after providing false information about his date of birth. Fingerprints confirmed his identity and revealed that he had been removed from the United States in April 2013 following an earlier illegal entry that same month. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations took custody following notification by local police, with further investigation conducted alongside ICE – Homeland Security Investigations.
The trial began on April 20 before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, concluding with a guilty verdict after presentation of evidence. Under federal statutes, Cerrato-Avilez faces up to two years in prison; sentencing will be determined by the court at a later hearing based on advisory guidelines and statutory factors.
The prosecution was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Nichols and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri supports community outreach programs aimed at addressing issues like violent crime and drug trafficking according to its official website. The office has locations in Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Springfield according to its official website, covers federal prosecutions across 66 counties according to its official website, operates under affiliation with the Department of Justice according to its official website, serves an area stretching from Iowa to Arkansas borders according to its official website, and collaborates with multiple law enforcement partners at various levels according to its official website.
