Esau Matul-Hernandez, a 37-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for illegal reentry by a removed alien. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated, “This case is another shining example of the great success of the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America, and fulfills the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to stop the flow of illegal immigration into our country. This criminal alien not only repeatedly illegally entered our country, he endangered our communities by continuing to violate our laws while unlawfully present here. My office will aggressively prosecute these offenders to keep our communities safe.”
According to court records, Matul-Hernandez was arrested on December 28, 2023, by Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO). Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) encountered him at the Okaloosa County Jail the following day. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) identified him as an alien in the United States and a citizen of Mexico who had been deported from the U.S. in 2007 and twice in 2020 before illegally reentering thereafter. Following his arrest by OCSO in 2023, he was prosecuted by Florida state authorities and convicted of attempted sexual battery before being handed over to federal custody.
Nicholas Ingegno, Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge said, “Illegal aliens who repeatedly and knowingly violate U.S. immigration laws blatantly undermine the integrity of our legal system and place an added burden on law enforcement and public safety resources.” He emphasized that those ignoring U.S. laws after multiple deportations would face serious consequences.
An ICE detainer has been placed against Matul-Hernandez; deportation proceedings will commence following his federal prison term. His imprisonment will be followed by one year of supervised release during which any return to the U.S could lead to further incarceration for violating supervision terms.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations alongside Enforcement Removal Operations with Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer H. Callahan prosecuting.
This case forms part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration while eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts involving various task forces under DOJ’s umbrella.
For more information about this case or access public court documents online visit [U.S District Court for Northern District](http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html).
