Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegal Reentry Following Prior Convictions for Sexual Abuse of Minors

Marco Olavarrieta-Beranza, a previously deported sexual predator, receives 27 months in federal prison after being found in Escambia County.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 11:13 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida

Federal Sentencing for Repeat Immigration Violation

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida has announced the sentencing of a Mexican citizen for the felony charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien. Marco Olavarrieta-Beranza, also known as Marco Leonardo Olavarrieta, appeared in federal court in Pensacola where he was ordered to serve 27 months in prison. The ruling follows his apprehension late last year and serves as a formal judicial response to his violation of a permanent bar from entering the United States. Following the announcement by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin, officials confirmed that the defendant will be transferred to federal custody to begin his term immediately.

Background of Prior Sex Crime Convictions

The severity of the sentencing is tied to Olavarrieta-Beranza’s significant criminal history. Court records show that the defendant was originally deported from the United States in 2019 after being convicted of two serious felonies: sexual abuse of a minor under the age of twelve and attempted sexual abuse of a minor under the age of fourteen. Due to the violent and predatory nature of these offenses, federal law mandated a permanent exclusion from the country. His return to the region was discovered in November 2025 during an enforcement operation in Escambia County, Florida.

Operation Take Back America and Regional Enforcement

This prosecution was conducted as part of Operation Take Back America, a coordinated federal initiative aimed at intensifying the prosecution of transnational criminal organizations and individuals who bypass immigration laws. U.S. Attorney Heekin noted that the initiative is designed to focus resources on individuals with criminal backgrounds who pose a direct risk to community safety. By securing a federal prison term prior to deportation, authorities intend to ensure a period of incarceration and accountability before the defendant is permanently removed from the domestic population.