Deported Ecuadorian Facing Federal Re-entry Charge

PROVIDENCE, RI – Manuel Yochuzga-Yopangue, a 34-year-old Ecuadorian national, is facing federal charges of illegal re-entry after a fingerprint match exposed his unauthorized return to the United States. The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island, comes over fifteen years after his initial deportation in August 2008.

The case unfolded in May 2025 when Yochuzga-Yopangue, also known as Manuel Yupangui, was arrested on serious state charges of child molestation. Routine processing of his fingerprints through the National Crime Information Center triggered an alert, revealing his prior removal from the country. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately flagged the discrepancy.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr., are now handling the re-entry charge. Yochuzga-Yopangue is currently held at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) in Rhode Island, awaiting arraignment on the federal indictment. No court date has been set as of press time.

This prosecution is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative framed as a crackdown on illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. The program aims to leverage resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods to bolster enforcement efforts.

While the DOJ touts Operation Take Back America as a means to “protect our communities,” critics argue it’s a politically-driven escalation of deportation efforts. Regardless, the case highlights the ongoing battle between federal agencies and individuals attempting to circumvent immigration laws. The federal government aims to present a strong case, but as always, the accused is presumed innocent.

A federal indictment is merely an accusation, and Manuel Yochuzga-Yopangue is entitled to a vigorous defense. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The stakes are high, not only for Yochuzga-Yopangue but also for the broader debate surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.

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