Jesus Bahena/Mexico/Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

On May 15, 2025, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) San Diego arrested Jesus Bahena, a 49-year-old Mexican national with a history of violent criminal conduct and repeated unlawful entries into the United States. Bahena was taken into custody during a targeted enforcement operation after authorities confirmed his presence in the country without legal authorization.

Bahena’s criminal record includes convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, obstructing law enforcement, and dissuading a witness from cooperating with authorities. These offenses, combined with his repeated immigration violations, made him a priority for enforcement action. Despite multiple removals from the United States, Bahena has continued to reenter the country illegally, bypassing inspection and violating federal immigration law.

Following his arrest, ERO officers served Bahena with a notice of intent to reinstate his prior removal order. Due to his criminal history and unlawful reentry, federal prosecutors accepted his case for criminal prosecution under Title 8, U.S. Code, Section 1326, which addresses the reentry of previously removed noncitizens. He was subsequently transferred to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, where he is being held pending arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge.

ICE confirmed that Bahena’s actions present an ongoing threat to community safety, given the nature of his prior offenses and his disregard for U.S. immigration laws. He will remain in custody throughout the criminal and removal proceedings, with additional penalties possible if convicted of reentry after removal.