Buckeye Reporter

Federal authorities in the Northern District of Ohio have announced a series of immigration enforcement actions involving separate cases.

Francisco Gonzalez-Lopez, 35, a Guatemalan citizen, has been charged with illegal reentry after previously being removed from the United States on November 15, 2017. He was located in Poland Township, Ohio, on June 12, 2025, without permission from U.S. authorities to return. The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Rolph.

In another case, Jaime Ortega-Urquidi, 63, a Mexican citizen, faces charges of illegal reentry following his most recent removal from the country on October 10, 2017. He was found in Lorain, Ohio, on May 28, 2025. Ortega-Urquidi is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine after investigators reportedly found nearly five pounds of cocaine in his possession. He faces an enhanced penalty due to a previous serious drug felony conviction in 2014. The investigation involved the U.S. Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station, FBI Cleveland Division, and Lorain Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Lewis is prosecuting the case.

Additionally, Edil A. Martinez-Padilla, 38, a Honduran citizen who pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after two prior removals—the last occurring April 24, 2013—was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge David A. Ruiz and remains detained pending deportation proceedings. This investigation was conducted by ICE-HSI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter E. Daly.

Officials emphasized that indictments are only charges and do not constitute evidence of guilt: "An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

Sentencing decisions will consider individual factors such as prior criminal records and each defendant's role: "If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations."

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America—a national effort using Department of Justice resources aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime organizations.