Dominican National Olivo-Rodriguez Pleads Guilty to Illegal Reentry

BOSTON — Amaury Olivo-Rodriguez, 39, a Dominican national with a criminal record and two prior deportations, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to illegally reentering the United States. The conviction marks the latest chapter in a long-running pattern of border violations and criminal activity, according to federal prosecutors.

Olivo-Rodriguez admitted in court to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien, a felony charge carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young has scheduled sentencing for June 4, 2018, leaving the final punishment to be determined under federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.

The latest illegal entry came to light on April 26, 2017, when law enforcement officers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, encountered Olivo-Rodriguez and confirmed he was in the country without legal status. At the time of the encounter, he had already been deported twice — once in 2010 and again in 2015 — following convictions tied to drug distribution and immigration violations.

The first deportation followed his March 2009 arrest in New Hampshire, where he was serving time for drug distribution. Federal agents discovered his undocumented status during incarceration, leading to removal proceedings. On June 30, 2010, Olivo-Rodriguez was formally deported to the Dominican Republic. That didn’t last.

By January 2012, he was back — caught attempting to reenter the U.S. He was convicted on federal charges of illegal reentry and sentenced to 37 months in prison. After completing that sentence, he was deported a second time. His return in 2017 set off the current case, reinforcing a cycle of criminal reentry that federal authorities say will not be tolerated.

“This is not a first-time mistake — this is a repeated violation of U.S. law,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling in a statement. “Each time he returns illegally, he risks public safety and undermines the integrity of our immigration system.” The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine prosecuting. Olivo-Rodriguez will face deportation again after any prison term is served.