Show-Me State Times

A Mexican national has admitted to illegally re-entering the United States after being deported multiple times. Carlos Omar Rogel-Sanchez, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal re-entry during proceedings in Springfield, Missouri.

Rogel-Sanchez was taken into custody on July 5, 2025, by the McDonald County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest stemmed from an outstanding warrant related to a previous assault case in Joplin, Missouri. Authorities noted that Rogel-Sanchez had been deported from the United States at least four times prior to this incident.

“Rogel-Sanchez was arrested on July 5, 2025, by the McDonald County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office for an outstanding arrest warrant out of Joplin, Mo., for a prior assault. Rogel-Sanchez has been previously deported from the United States on at least four prior occasions.”

According to federal law, those convicted of illegal re-entry can face up to two years in prison without parole. “Under federal statutes, Miller is subject to a sentence of up to two years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney is prosecuting the case. The investigation involved both Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local law enforcement.

“This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the McDonald County, Missouri, Sheriff’s Office.”

The prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—an initiative that uses resources from several Justice Department task forces including Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). This program aims to address illegal immigration and criminal organizations.

“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 immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”