A Honduran national was sentenced in federal court in New Orleans after pleading guilty to illegally reentering the United States following prior removals, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
The case is one of many federal prosecutions involving repeat unlawful reentry offenses, in which prior deportations and subsequent reentry attempts can result in criminal penalties in addition to immigration consequences.
Carlos Alberto Escobar-Loza, 47, was sentenced April 22 by U.S. District Judge Greg Gerard Guidry to time served, one year of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment after pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien.
Federal officials said Escobar-Loza had been detained since Jan. 14, 2026, resulting in the time-served sentence imposed by the court.
According to court records, Escobar-Loza was found in the United States on Dec. 26, 2025, after previously being deported on July 2, 2012. Authorities said he was located in the Eastern District of Louisiana following an arrest by local law enforcement.
Immigration officials later confirmed his identity and determined that he had reentered the country without authorization after being previously removed.
Prosecutors said Escobar-Loza had multiple prior encounters with immigration authorities beginning around 2002 after entering the United States without being admitted or paroled.
Federal records state that an immigration judge ordered him removed in October 2003 after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.
Authorities said he was encountered again on multiple occasions between approximately 2005 and 2012 following arrests by local law enforcement. During that period, officials said his prior removal order was reinstated and he was removed to Honduras at least three times.
Illegal reentry after removal is a federal offense under Title 8 of the United States Code and is commonly charged when a previously deported individual is found again inside the country without lawful permission to return.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter K.D. Guice Jr. handled the prosecution.
The case was announced as part of broader federal immigration enforcement efforts operating under Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative targeting immigration crimes, organized smuggling networks, and transnational criminal organizations.
