Jose Antonio Lario Salmeron, a 33-year-old native of El Salvador, was charged on April 15 with reentry of a removed alien after being apprehended in St. Tammany Parish, according to an announcement by United States Attorney David I. Courcelle on Apr. 20.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws and maintain community safety through federal law enforcement actions. According to court documents, Salmeron had previously been removed from the United States by federal authorities on January 13, 2020, but returned without proper authorization.
If convicted, Salmeron faces up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. Courcelle said that “a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” The U.S. Attorney also praised the work of the United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative designed to use resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods—to address illegal immigration and combat violent crime.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana enhances community safety through law enforcement efforts according to the official website. The office operates under the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website, enforces federal laws and prosecutes criminal cases according to its official website, and covers Southeast Louisiana according to its official website. The U.S. Attorney serves as chief federal law enforcement officer for this district according to its official website and is appointed by the President with Senate approval according to its official website.
Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis oversees prosecution for this case.
