6 undocumented immigrants indicted for federal offenses as part of ‘Operation Take Back America,’ DOJ says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Six undocumented immigrants were indicted in March for federal offenses, including firearms violations and reentering the country illegally after removal, as part of the DOJ’s “Operation Take Back America” initiative.

The six individuals facing federal charges are:

• Santo Antonio Barradas-Leon, a/k/a Santos Antonio Leon-Barredas, 36, of Mexico, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States by an aggravated felon. Barradas-Leon was previously removed from the United States in April 2009 and again in March 2020. Barradas-Leon was arrested on March 9, 2025, by the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
• Ruben Duran-Mercado, a/k/a Ruben Mercado Duran, 26, of Mexico, is charged with illegal reentry into the United States by an aggravated felon. Duran-Mercado was previously removed from the United States in August 2024. Duran-Mercado was arrested on February 8, 2025, by the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
• Deyvi Carlos Perez Morales, a/k/a Carlos Perez Morales, 32, of Mexico, is charged with illegally reentering into the United States. Morales was previously removed from the United States three times: in July 2010, in September 2011, and again in July 2017. He was arrested on February 8, 2025, by the Marshville Police Department.
• Jairo Ernesto Perry Santos, 40, of Honduras, is charged with illegally reentering the United States. Santos was previously removed from the United States in August 2016. An arrest warrant has been issued against the defendant.
• Eusebio Fuentes-Soto, a/k/a Eusebio Sotos, Edgar Perez-Berillos, or Edgar Perez, 27, of Mexico, is charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by an illegal alien. Fuentes-Soto was previously removed from the United States in 2018. An arrest warrant has been issued against the defendant.
• Raul Bello Rojas, 43, of Mexico, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, and illegal reentry into the United States. Rojas is currently in federal custody.

The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that focuses on stopping illegal immigration, eliminating Cartels and TCOs, and ending illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings.