SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Heri Abelardo de Leon Garcia, 32, of Mexico, pled guilty on Tuesday, July 7, to one count of illegal reentry into the United States. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone made the announcement.De Leon Garcia was arrested in 2012 for entering the country illegally and was subsequently deported. He was found in the country following a traffic stop in February 2026 and was arrested in May 2026.
“The previous administration’s failed border policies and weak approach to crime allowed countless illegal aliens to cross into our country,” said First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “The American dream is alive and well—so much so that this defendant broke our laws twice to come here. We are a nation of immigrants, but those seeking to enter must follow the legal pathways.
This defendant chose not to and will now serve a term of imprisonment before facing deportation.”Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone said, “After previously being removed from the United States, this individual chose to disregard our nation’s immigration laws by illegally reentering the country. HSI remains steadfast in working with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate, prosecute, and remove those who violate our laws in order to protect the public and uphold the integrity of our immigration system.”Senior District Judge Frederick J. Scullin sentenced de Leon Garcia to two months’ imprisonment. Following his sentence, de Leon Garcia is subject to be deportation following his sentence.
Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Walter prosecuted the case.