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Federal Jury Convicts Mexican National in Houston for Illegal Reentry

Eduardo Aguilera-Gallardo was found guilty of illegal reentry in Houston federal court following a two-day trial.

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 8:52 a.m. ET
On , official records from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas documented the federal conviction of 37-year-old Mexican national Eduardo Aguilera-Gallardo in district court for illegally reentering the United States without authorization. Following a two-day trial on May 19, a jury deliberated for less than 30 minutes before returning a guilty verdict. U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ordered Aguilera-Gallardo to serve 48 months in federal prison. Aguilera-Gallardo remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility and is expected to face removal proceedings following his incarceration. According to trial testimony and official documents, Aguilera-Gallardo became a lawful permanent resident in 2001, later lost that status, and was removed from the United States in 2025. On April 21, 2025, authorities encountered him in Houston without legal authorization. At trial, the defense claimed Aguilera-Gallardo had been kidnapped at the Mexican border and forced to return to the United States, but evidence showed neither he nor his family contacted law enforcement in either country or reported the alleged abduction. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Hostetter and Ekua Assabill prosecuted the matter as part of Operation Take Back America.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 12:52current

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