A Mexican national previously convicted of drug trafficking and other offenses has been sentenced to four years in federal prison after unlawfully reentering the United States following multiple removals, according to federal prosecutors in Texas.
Federal officials said 38-year-old Esequiel Rueda-Ramirez was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen to 48 months in prison after pleading guilty in November 2025 to illegal reentry after removal.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, Rueda-Ramirez has a criminal history that includes convictions for evading arrest, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and prior illegal reentry offenses.
Authorities first removed Rueda-Ramirez from the United States in February 2010, federal prosecutors said. Despite the removal order, officials stated he repeatedly returned to the country unlawfully in the years that followed.
Law enforcement encountered Rueda-Ramirez again on June 2, 2022, while he was allegedly in the United States without authorization.
Federal officials said the court reviewed evidence tied to his prior criminal history and repeated immigration violations during sentencing proceedings.
Rueda-Ramirez remains in federal custody and is expected to face removal proceedings again following the completion of his prison sentence, according to prosecutors.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Hostetter prosecuted the case.
Federal officials said the prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative focused on immigration enforcement, transnational criminal organizations, and border-related crimes.
