KC Reporter

Two men have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of illegally re-entering the United States after previously being removed. The cases, though unrelated, were heard on the same day.

Selvin Mejia-Ramos, a 32-year-old Mexican national, admitted guilt before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie Epps Jr. He was charged with unlawfully re-entering the country after his removal in 2020.

In a separate case, Rubin Pinot-Banegas, a 38-year-old Honduran national, also pleaded guilty to similar charges before Judge Epps. Court records show that Pinot-Banegas had been removed from the U.S. four times: December 20, 2007; June 4, 2009; October 22, 2015; and April 19, 2017.

Federal law prohibits aliens from knowingly re-entering the United States without permission after removal. Mejia-Ramos faces up to two years in federal prison without parole, while Pinot-Banegas could be sentenced to up to ten years. Both men may also incur fines up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by the court following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney is prosecuting both cases. The investigations were conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations.

These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aiming to combat illegal immigration and dismantle transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The operation consolidates efforts from various Department of Justice programs including Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).