Honduras Man Charged with Illegal Re-Entry into U.S.

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A Honduras resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of illegal re-entry of a removed alien, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The one-count Indictment named Saul Enrique Padilla-Mejia, 38, as the sole defendant.

According to the Indictment, on or about August 13, 2019, Padilla-Mejia was removed from the United States. On or about February 4, 2024, Padilla-Mejia was arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police for driving under the influence, driving without a license, reckless driving, careless driving, and failing to obey traffic control devices.

Padilla-Mejia was arrested on September 1, 2024, by the Moon Township Police Department related to the illegal re-entry charge, and was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on October 30, 2024.

Padilla-Mejia appeared in federal court on December 4, 2024, and was ordered detained pending trial.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.