Ecuadorian National Busted for Repeat Illegal Entry

BUFFALO, NY – Lorenzo Antonio Loja-Castro, 23, a citizen of Ecuador, has been sentenced for the brazen act of illegally re-entering the United States after already being deported. The case, announced today by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, highlights the ongoing struggle to control the border and the revolving door of illegal re-entry.

Loja-Castro pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to the charge of illegal re-entry. The facts are stark: on May 7, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol agents collared him near Middleport, New York. Despite being physically removed from the country on July 2, 2024, Loja-Castro was back on American soil by March 26, 2025, this time spotted in Erie County, New York. When confronted by Department of Homeland Security agents, he admitted his illegal status and lack of any valid documentation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas, prosecuting the case, confirmed Loja-Castro has no legal standing in the United States. The swift apprehension and prosecution, while resulting in only a ‘time served’ sentence, served as a trigger for transfer to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings. Questions remain whether this will be a permanent fix or another temporary measure.

Federal authorities are framing this case within the larger context of “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping nationwide initiative designed to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime. The operation aims to streamline resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), indicating a coordinated effort to address border security and related criminal activity.

The investigation leading to Loja-Castro’s conviction was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan. While the sentence itself may seem lenient, the case demonstrates the dedication of HSI and the Department of Justice to identifying and pursuing individuals who repeatedly violate immigration laws. The efficacy of ‘time served’ sentences in deterring repeat offenders, however, remains a contentious issue.

Grimy Times will continue to follow the fallout from Operation Take Back America and track the effectiveness of federal efforts to address illegal immigration and transnational crime. The case of Lorenzo Antonio Loja-Castro serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement on the border and the ongoing struggle to secure the nation’s frontiers. # # # #

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