KC Reporter

A Mexican national has pleaded guilty to re-entering the United States after previously being deported multiple times. Carlos Omar Rogel-Sanchez, 44, admitted to one count of illegal re-entry in federal court.

Rogel-Sanchez was taken into custody on July 5, 2025, by the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri. Authorities arrested him due to an outstanding warrant from Joplin, Missouri, related to a prior assault case. According to officials, Rogel-Sanchez had been deported from the United States at least four times before his most recent arrest.

Federal law sets a maximum sentence of two years in prison without parole for this offense. However, as stated in the release: "The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney is prosecuting the case. The investigation involved the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and local authorities from McDonald County.

"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."