Missoula, Montana – A 20-year-old Mexican national has been sentenced in federal court after authorities determined he had reentered the United States without authorization following prior removals.
Juan Diego Rojas-Meneses, originally from Mexico, was sentenced to time served of 219 days after pleading guilty to one count of reentry of a removed alien. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen, and following the ruling, Rojas-Meneses was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot confirmed the outcome of the case, which stems from an investigation that began in the summer of 2025.
Discovery During Search Warrant Execution
According to court documents, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on August 12, 2025, at a residence in Belgrade, Montana, where they encountered Rojas-Meneses.
During the encounter, authorities interviewed him at the scene. He admitted that he was a citizen of Mexico and did not have the required documentation to be legally present in the United States.
A records check later confirmed that Rojas-Meneses had previously been removed from the United States twice, with removals recorded on September 1, 2024, and September 23, 2024, both through El Paso, Texas.
Officials also confirmed that there was no record of him receiving permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission into the country.
Case Process and Federal Initiative
Rojas-Meneses entered a guilty plea in November 2025, acknowledging the charge of unlawful reentry. Following his sentencing, he will remain in federal custody before being handled by immigration authorities.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus, while the investigation involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, the Belgrade Police Department, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations.
Officials noted that this case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative focused on addressing illegal immigration and strengthening enforcement efforts. The initiative brings together resources from across the Department of Justice to target unlawful entry and related criminal activity.
With the sentence now complete, Rojas-Meneses remains in custody and is expected to face removal proceedings as authorities continue to enforce federal immigration laws.
