HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Walnel Mordan Soto, age 37, of the Dominican Republic, who most recently resided in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of illegal reentry into the United States.According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Mordan Soto was encountered at the Schuylkill County Jail on July 6, 2026, after having previously been removed on or about October 6, 2016, via Alexandria, Louisiana, subsequent to a conviction for committing an aggravated felony. Mordan Soto did not receive permission to reenter the United States, as required by law.The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.This case is 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.The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is up to 20 years of imprisonment, plus a fine and a term of supervised release. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.# # #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice