Carmelo Nolasco-Carbajal, a 42-year-old Mexican national, was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for illegal reentry by an aggravated felon. The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara after Nolasco-Carbajal pleaded guilty on December 19, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the sentencing.
Court documents show that Nolasco-Carbajal was discovered by immigration authorities in February 2025 following his arrest for possession of cocaine in Hillsborough County, which led to a conviction. He had previously been removed from the United States three times and did not have permission to return. His criminal record includes convictions for aggravated battery with serious bodily injury, aggravated assault, and illegal reentry.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
According to the Department of Justice, this case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
