A Honduran national, Oscar Francisco Avila-Norales, age 45, has been indicted for illegal reentry into the United States after having previously been deported. The indictment was announced by United States Attorney David I. Courcelle on January 9, 2026.
According to the indictment, Avila-Norales was found in the United States on December 10, 2025. He had reentered without authorization from the Attorney General after being deported on September 30, 2011.
If convicted of violating Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), Avila-Norales could face up to two years in prison, up to one year of supervised release, a fine as high as $250,000, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle stated: “The indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
This case falls under Operation Take Back America. According to U.S. Attorney Courcelle’s office, this initiative brings together resources from the Department of Justice with the goal of addressing illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations. The operation coordinates efforts from programs such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Courcelle acknowledged Immigration and Customs Enforcement and United States Customs and Border Protection for their roles in investigating this case. Special Assistant United States Attorney Frederick Veters, Jr., from the General Crimes Unit is prosecuting.
