Illegal alien breaks law, plays the victim, is found guilty, and sent to federal prison

HOUSTON – A 37-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced for illegally reentering the country without authorization. The jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before convicting Eduardo Aguilera-Gallardo following a two-day trial May 19. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake has now ordered Aguilera-Gallardo to serve 48 months in federal prison. As an illegal alien, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard about Aguilera-Gallardo’s use of firearms in his criminal history and his lack of regard for the law. In handing down the sentence, the court noted that Aguilera-Gallardo’s prior sentences where not enough of a deterrent for his continued criminal conduct. At trial, testimony revealed Aguilera-Gallardo became a lawful permanent resident in 2001. However, he later lost that status and was removed from the United States in 2025. A deportation officer described how he escorted Aguilera-Gallardo across the international boundary in Laredo to be returned to Mexico. A fingerprint examiner also identified Aguilera-Gallardo as the same person documented in various deportation materials. Testimony revealed that on April 21, 2025, authorities found Aguilera-Gallardo in Houston with no authorization to be in the United States. The jury heard that, at that time, he had not reported any threat or kidnapping and neglected to ask for any help. However, the defense attempted to convince the jury Aguilera-Gallardo was kidnapped at the Mexican border after returning to Mexico and held for ransom. He claimed his family paid for his release, and kidnappers forced him to return to the United States. Testimony and evidence revealed that neither Aguilera-Gallardo nor his family sought assistance from law enforcement in either country. He also never reported the alleged kidnapping to authorities once in the United States. The jury rejected the defense and found Aguilera-Gallardo guilty as charged. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Immigration Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Hostetter and Ekua Assabill prosecuted the case. 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 immigrants, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.