Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that JOEL BECERRA-CESARIO (“BECERRA-CESARIO”), age 38, a native of Mexico, pled guilty on February 18 2025 to illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a) and 1326(b)(2).
According to court documents, BECERRA-CESARIO, an illegal alien with a prior felony drug conviction, was found in Kenner, La. on October 20, 2023. He had previously been deported to Mexico on May 15, 2014. His prior drug conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Kansas was for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and resulted in a 135-month prison sentence.
At the sentencing hearing scheduled for May 27, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey, BECERRA-CESARIO faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson praised the work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.