A Nicaraguan man with a child trafficking conviction pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the U.S. after deportation.

A 38-year-old Nicaraguan man, Edwin Joel Martinez-Cruz, has pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported in 2022, according to the Department of Justice. He previously faced a conviction for human trafficking involving a child, and his reentry occurred less than a year after removal. The case highlights federal enforcement efforts targeting individuals with serious criminal histories who return without authorization. Sentencing is scheduled for January 15, 2026, and he could face up to two years in prison followed by deportation.