A Mexican national, Esteban De Paz Jimenez, has been sentenced to seven months in prison for illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed. He remains subject to a prior order of removal.
“This case underscores the importance of immigration enforcement to protect our nation and our people,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Esteban De Paz Jimenez repeatedly violated our immigration laws and committed a serious assault against his then-estranged wife. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect victims and remove violent criminals who pose a threat to public safety from the United States.”
Court documents show that De Paz Jimenez, 39, has been deported three times since 2010 and returned illegally each time. Between 2016 and 2020, he was convicted six times for driving without a license.
U.S. Immigration officials became aware of his illegal presence after his arrest on April 7, 2025, in Caroline County on state charges including strangulation, preventing summoning of law enforcement, and malicious wounding. The arrest followed an incident on March 30, 2025, when De Paz Jimenez located his then-estranged wife, argued with her at her home, choked her, shoved her to the ground, pulled out a large portion of her hair by force, and took her phone to prevent her from calling emergency services.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Day prosecuted the case.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration and violent crime.
Additional information about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or through PACER by searching Case No. 3:25-cr-82.
