Illegal aliens from Mexico sentenced for illegal reentry into the US

TAMPA, Fla. – Two illegal aliens from Mexico have been sentenced to more than four years combined in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigation.  

Julio Cesar Paniagua was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States by a previously removed alien. Herman Vazquez-Padilla was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for illegal reentry into the United States after committing an aggravated felony.

Paniagua pled guilty on Jan. 13, 2025. Vazquez-Padilla was found guilty on Dec. 23, 2024.

According to court documents, in 2011, Paniagua was convicted of a narcotics distribution conspiracy, and following a sentence of incarceration, was removed from the United States on Dec. 3, 2015. In 2018, Paniagua attempted to illegally reenter the United States and was charged, convicted, and incarcerated. Later that year, he was once again removed from the United States. At some point thereafter, he illegally reentered the United States and was found to be living in Dade City, Florida, on Nov. 18, 2024.

Vazquez-Padilla, an illegal alien of Mexico, reentered the United States without obtaining permission, after removal, following a conviction of an aggravated felony. Vazquez-Padilla was convicted of conspiracy to transport one hundred or more illegal aliens on Sept. 19, 2012. He was ordered removed on June 7, 2021, and was removed on Nov. 10, 2021. Sometime after Nov. 10, 2021, Vazquez-Padilla voluntarily and illegally reentered the United States. Vazquez-Padilla did not receive the consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States. On Aug. 28, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers found Vazquez-Padilla in Hillsborough County, Florida.

These cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wheeler, III, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karyna Valdes respectively.