Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A federal grand jury has indicted Moises Ramiro Lopez-Zenteno, a 37-year-old Mexican national, on charges of illegally reentering the United States.
U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized the commitment of his office to the goals of Operation Take Back America, stating, “We are determined to safeguard our communities by rigorously prosecuting criminal illegal aliens who openly defy and breach our nation’s immigration laws. The United States is governed by laws, and we will persist in enforcing these laws against those who mistakenly believe they can flout them without repercussions.”
Lopez-Zenteno was apprehended by the Gainesville Police Department in September 2025 on charges of domestic aggravated assault and domestic battery, after having been deported in 2016. His federal trial is scheduled for May 27, 2026, under the supervision of United States Chief Judge Allen Winsor.
The legal consequence for reentering the United States after deportation includes a maximum prison sentence of two years and a fine of up to $250,000.
An indictment serves solely as an accusation by a grand jury, suggesting that a defendant has violated federal criminal law. It is not an indication of guilt. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty, and they are entitled to a fair trial where the government must establish their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
