Over the past two months, a federal grand jury in Oklahoma City has charged 23 individuals with illegal reentry into the United States after previous deportation.

That’s the word from United States Attorney Robert J. Troester.

These prosecutions are part of the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to enforce federal immigration laws and identify individuals who unlawfully return to the United States after being previously removed from the country.

One of those individuals, Eliut David Samaniego-Montelongo, 38,  was arrested in McClain County.

The Mexican national was deported three times including 2018 and twice in 2013.

A total of 14 of the 23 were arrested in Oklahoma City or Oklahoma County with four arrested in Blaine County.

If found guilty, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, fines of up to $250,000 each, and removal from the United States following completion of any sentence imposed.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

These cases are the result of investigations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Hale, Jay Shank, and David McCrary are prosecuting the cases.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that gives marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration.

Marshals are to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.