Three Mexican nationals, Crescencio Diaz-Diaz, 36, Marcelo Perez-Santiz, 33, and Roman Gomez-Diaz, 32, have pleaded guilty to immigration-related offenses in Pensacola, Florida. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Diaz-Diaz and Perez-Santiz admitted to illegal reentry after removal from the United States. All three defendants also pleaded guilty to possessing and using fraudulent employment documents. According to court records, they were arrested following federal search warrants executed at Emerald Coast Lawns and a nearby residence in Navarre in July 2025. During the searches, authorities found that each man had used fake Social Security cards and permanent resident cards under their names or with their photographs. Immigration records showed none of them had legally entered the country; both Diaz-Diaz and Perez-Santiz had previously been deported.
All three men received sentences of time served and will be deported.
“These criminal aliens tried to lie, cheat, and steal their way into this country by illegally crossing our borders and presenting false documentation. I deeply appreciate the close collaboration between our state and federal law enforcement partners that enabled these successful prosecutions, which continue to deliver on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by robustly enforcing our national immigration laws,” said U.S. Attorney Heekin.
Nicholas G. Ingegno, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), stated: “These convictions underscore our commitment to protecting the integrity of our nation’s employment systems. Using fraudulent work not only undermines lawful hiring practices but also exposes our communities to significant risks. The successful prosecution of these three illegal aliens reflects the diligent work of HSI and out partners. We will continue to enforce federal law and hold accountable those who engage in document fraud.”
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley added: “This case highlights our ongoing efforts to identify, arrest and remove people who violate federal immigration laws. FBI Jacksonville will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who undermine lawful immigration and ensure the security of our borders and communities.”
The investigation involved several agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Florida Highway Patrol, United States Marshals Service, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration as well as targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General. Public court documents are available through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website (https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/). More information about this office can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
