Mexican National Arrested For Illegal Reentry By A Previously Deported Alien

Ocala, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the arrest of Felipe Garcia-Vasquez (39, Morriston) on a criminal complaint charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. If convicted, Garcia faces up to two years in federal prison. 

According to court records, Garcia is a Mexican national who was previously removed from the United States on January 21, 2013. He has never applied to the Attorney General of the United States and/or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for permission to re-enter the United States. On February 26, 2025, he was found voluntarily back in the United States.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a federal criminal offense. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.