SPRINGFIELD, MO. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Missouri, Western), published as received.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Mexican national pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after being previously deported.
Cecilio Paz-Serafin, 33, pleaded guilty before Federal Magistrate Judge David P. Rush, to the sole count of an indictment charging him with illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. During a traffic stop by Christian County, Missouri Sheriff’s deputies on Aug. 26, 2026, Paz-Serafin was found voluntarily in the United States after he was deported in 2024.
Under federal statute, illegally reentering into the United States after being previously deported is in direct violation of existing federal immigration law and is subject to a sentence of up to two years imprisonment. The maximum statutory sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and the Christian County, Missouri Sheriff’s Department.
Operation Take Back America
These cases are 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.
