News Release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a recent announcement, U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin disclosed the federal indictment of 25-year-old Pablo Gomez-Sarmiento from Mexico. The charges stem from his illegal reentry into the United States following a prior deportation.
U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized, “Our immigration laws are non-negotiable. We wholeheartedly embrace those who legally immigrate and adhere to our regulations, but those who choose to flout these laws will face serious consequences. My office is committed to rigorous prosecution, leading to federal incarceration and subsequent deportation, ensuring the residents of the Northern District of Florida can rely on their government to uphold the integrity of our borders and legal system. This is a responsibility I am dedicated to upholding during my tenure.”
Gomez-Sarmiento is accused of illegally returning to the U.S. and was discovered in Alachua County in February 2025, having previously been deported in 2020. His trial has been slated for July 22, 2026, in Gainesville, with Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor presiding.
The offense of illegal reentry carries a potential sentence of up to two years in prison and a fine reaching $250,000.
The case involved investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations, with the assistance of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.