A Mexican citizen residing in Hampton, Iowa, was sentenced to just over a year in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States after multiple removals. Fabian Arias-Ramirez, 39, pleaded guilty on June 12, 2025, to one count of illegal reentry after removal.
During his plea hearing, Arias-Ramirez admitted he had previously been removed from the U.S. and later returned without government permission. He was initially ordered removed in 2013 but absconded and was not actually deported until 2019. Following his 2019 removal, authorities caught him attempting to enter the country several times and removed him each time.
On April 22, 2025, immigration officials encountered Arias-Ramirez in Iowa Falls after he met with his probation officer following his second conviction for Operating While Intoxicated.
This is Arias-Ramirez’s third federal conviction related to illegal immigration. He has two prior misdemeanor convictions for illegal entry and has also been convicted twice in Iowa state court for Operating While Intoxicated—in both 2013 and 2024—as well as for Criminal Mischief.
United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams sentenced Arias-Ramirez in Cedar Rapids to twelve months and one day of imprisonment followed by a one-year term of supervised release. There is no parole available under the federal system.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”
Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations.
