KC Reporter

A Mexican national has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison for unlawfully reentering the United States after a previous felony conviction. Juan Hernandez-Sandoval, 45, received his sentence on September 25, 2025, from U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips.

Hernandez-Sandoval pleaded guilty on February 6, 2025, to the charge of illegal reentry following a felony conviction. According to court records, he had previously been deported or returned to Mexico four times. In 2017, Hernandez-Sandoval was convicted of being present in the United States without admission or parole and was deported that same year.

"This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Cooper," according to the announcement. The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Enforcement and Removal Operations.

The prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, which is 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 operation combines efforts from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).