More than three dozen Mexicans and Central Americans have been arrested or convicted in Oklahoma’s three federal district courts in the last few months as part of “Operation Take Back America.”
That is 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, and protect America’s communities from perpetrators of violent crime,” federal officials announced.
Defendants who are found guilty face federal prison sentences and fines, and removal from the United States following completion of any sentence imposed.
•Jose Melgar-Rivas, 35, was sentenced recently to serve six and a half years in federal prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, resulting in bodily injury.
According to public records, on July 15, 2025, ICE officers conducted a traffic stop in Oklahoma City. The driver, Melgar-Rivas, a Honduran national who entered the U.S. illegally, refused officers’ commands to exit the vehicle. As officers attempted to remove him, a struggle ensued.
During the altercation, Melgar-Rivas placed the vehicle in drive and fled the scene. As the vehicle accelerated, an ICE officer became caught in the vehicle’s door and was dragged down the roadway. The officer was eventually able to free himself but sustained multiple, serious injuries. Melgar-Rivas fled but was arrested several hours later.
After serving his sentence, Melgar-Rivas will be deported.
•Marco Antonio Cordova Morales, 19, a Guatemalan national, is charged in Tulsa’s Northern District federal court with conspiring with others to possess and distribute methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration Tulsa Resident Office is the investigative agency.
•Rafael Diaz Blett, 31; Raul Manuel Almarales Rodriguez, 40; and Raudelis Columbie Ferrer, 24, were indicted in Tulsa’s federal district court on nine counts that include conspiracy to commit access device fraud; possession of 15 or more counterfeit access devices; possession of device making equipment; illegal transportation of hazardous material; alien unlawfully in the U.S. in possession of firearms and ammunition; use of counterfeit access device.
The three Cuban nationals are charged with conspiring to install and use skimming devices to purchase fuel. Diaz Blett and Almarales Rodriguez are charged with possessing more than 15 counterfeit credit cards. Diaz Blett and Columbie Ferrer willfully transported a hazardous material in violation of the Department of Transportation rules and regulations. Almarales Rodriguez is additionally charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition, knowing he was unlawfully residing in the United States. Lastly, Columbie Ferrer is charged with knowingly possessing a cloned credit card.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Transportation, and IRS Criminal Investigations are the investigative agencies.
Following are individuals indicted in Oklahoma City, Tulsa or Muskogee federal courts with illegal reentry into the United States after previous deportation – some have been kicked out multiple times.
•Raul Hernandez-Cordero, 44, a Mexican national arrested in OKC on April 10, was previously deported six times: in 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2015, and in 2017.
•Alvaro Grimaldo-Luna, 31, a Mexican national arrested June 22 in Lincoln County, was previously deported in 2016.
•Genaro Jimenez-Perez, 48, a Mexican national arrested June 23 in Oklahoma City, was previously deported four times: in 2017, 2011, 2009, and 2008.
•Franklin Reyes-Gomez, 36, a Honduran national arrested in Blaine County on June 27, was previously deported in 2011.
•Arturo Velasco-Sustaita, 43, a Mexican national arrested June 28 in Oklahoma City, was previously deported in 2013.
•Isidro Ramos Garduza, 33, a Mexican national arrested March 29 in Goodwell, was deported twice in 2017.
•Luis Virgilio Hilario, 35, a Mexican national who has seven aliases, was arrested March 27 in Atoka County. He pleaded guilty May 5 to a charge of unlawful reentry of removed alien and received a non-paroleable federal prison sentence of 15 months. Hilario was previously deported twice in 2018.
•Armando Valle-Santana, 49, a Mexican national arrested June 27 in Blaine County, was previously deported in 2022 and 2020.
•Edgar Ramos-Hernandez, 29, a Mexican national arrested March 4 in Del City, was previously deported in 2016.
•Arturo Oliva Moreno, 36, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed four times. Moreno was arrested June 1 by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for drunken driving, transporting an open container of alcoholic beverage, no driver’s license, and making an unsafe lane change on Interstate 44 in Tulsa. Moreno was deported twice in 2009, once in 2011, and again in 2023.
•Efrain Hernandez-Medel, 27, a Mexican national arrested June 17 in Oklahoma City, was previously deported in 2020.
•Marcos Escalera-Marin, 29, a Mexican national arrested in Bethany on May 13, was previously deported in 2015 and again in 2018.
•Eduardo Alejandro Rodriguez- Hernandez, 47, a Mexican national arrested June 11 in OKC, was previously deported five times: in 1998, 2000, 2007, 2010, and in 2015.
•Alfredo Eleocadio-Rosales, 51, a Mexican national arrested in OKC in September 2024, was previously deported in 2010 and 2011.
•Arturo Oliva Moreno, 36, is a Mexican national charged with unlawfully reentering the U.S. after having been previously removed four times: twice in 2009, once in 2011, and again in 2023.
•Rufo German Espinoza- Meza, 49, a Mexican national arrested in OKC on May 16, was previously deported three times: in 2021, 2017, and 2010.
•Roberto Garcia Guerrero, 56, a Mexican national arrested in Blaine County on May 8, was previously deported six times: in 1998, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2010, and 2011.
•Raul Candia-Ramirez, 30, a Mexican national who also was arrested in Blaine County on May 8, was previously deported last year.
•Cristian Gildardo Lopez- Marquez, 40, a Mexican national arrested in Kingfisher County on March 28, was previously deported three times: in 2010, 2011, and 2014.
•Helvar Barrios-Rodas, 42, a Guatemalan national arrested in OKC on March 29, was previously deported in 2009.
•Antonio Rodriguez Muñoz, 49, a Mexican national arrested in Lincoln County on April 26, was previously deported in 2012 and 2020.
•Eliut David Samaniego- Montelongo, 38, a Mexican national arrested March 16 in McClain County, was deported twice in 2013 and once in 2018.
•Hector Rocha Villa, 46, a Mexican national arrested in OKC on March 2, was previously deported five times: in 2023, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2007.
•Juan Jaquez Garcia, 52, a Mexican national arrested March 14 in Oklahoma City, was escorted out of the United States in 2019.
•Mynor Estuardo Chiquin-Cal, 26, a Guatemalan national arrested in Oklahoma County on Feb. 17, was previously deported in 2018.
•Ismael Lopez Barraza, 43, a Mexican national arrested April 12 in OKC, was previously deported five times: in 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2021.
•Luis Garcia Ambriz, 52, a Mexican national, is charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after having been deported twice in 2009 and once in 2010.
•Efren Garcia, 26, a Mexican national, is charged with reentering the United States after having been previously removed in 2010 and 2012.
•Jose Luis Hernandez Lopez, 29, a Mexican national, is charged with reentering the United States after having been deported twice in 2024.
•Jose Miguel Malerva Herver, 25, a Mexican national, is charged with possessing a firearm while unlawfully residing in the United States.
•Lucio Perez Mendias , 39, a Mexican national, is charged with reentering the United States after having been removed in 2009, 2017, and 2020.
•Cesar Uriel Rodriguez Martinez, 32, a Mexican national, is charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition while unlawfully residing in the United States.
•Raciel Osorio Lopez, a/k/a Raciel Osoriolopez, a/k/a Raciel Osorio-Lopez, 33, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Atoka, was sentenced to time served for one count of unlawful reentry of removed alien. Osorio Lopez was previously deported twice in 2015 and again in 2017, and will be again.