Judge Sentences Illegal Reentrant to Time Served
A 62-year-old Guatemalan national previously deported from the United States will be transferred to ICE custody for removal.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Immigration
Live Poll
Do you think current immigration enforcement levels are about right for the country?
U.S. District Judge Douglas Harpool sentenced Julien Cristobal-Perez, a 62-year-old Guatemalan national, to time served for illegally reentering the United States after a prior deportation. Cristobal-Perez served five months and 10 days in custody before sentencing and will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation.
Why it matters
The case reflects federal prosecution of illegal reentry following removal, a charge pursued under the Operation Take Back America initiative. The sentence and transfer to ICE custody show how prior deportations can lead to renewed federal charges and removal proceedings.
Cristobal-Perez was sentenced to time served after five months and 10 days in custody. He will be immediately transferred to ICE custody for deportation to Guatemala, and the charges are accusations rather than evidence of guilt.
The players
Douglas Harpool
Harpool is a United States District Judge in the Western District of Missouri who presided over the sentencing.
Julien Cristobal-Perez
Cristobal-Perez is a 62-year-old Guatemalan national who was sentenced for illegal reentry after prior deportation.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
ICE is the federal agency within the Department of Homeland Security responsible for immigration enforcement and removal operations.
The details
The offense occurred May 25, 2026, in Barry County, Missouri, where Cristobal-Perez illegally reentered the country after previously being deported. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney and investigated by the Department of Homeland Security-Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Monett, Missouri Police Department.
Timeline
May 25, 2026: Illegal reentry offense occurred in Barry County, Missouri.
November 5, 2026: U.S. Attorney's Office published the press release announcing the sentence.
Legal Context
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative that brings illegal reentry charges against individuals previously removed from the country. Cases like this one illustrate how the initiative pursues repeat immigration offenses through the federal court system.
Individuals previously deported who return illegally may face federal criminal charges and removal proceedings, even when sentenced to time served. Residents of Missouri may see such prosecutions as part of federal immigration enforcement activity in the state.
The takeaway
Illegal reentry after deportation can lead to federal prosecution and transfer to immigration custody even after a short sentence. Readers following immigration enforcement can track how such cases move from federal court to ICE removal.
Further reading
For more background on federal enforcement actions, see Immigration coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The United States Department of Justice.
Live Poll
Do you think current immigration enforcement levels are about right for the country?
