Heroin Trafficker Kelvin Feliz Busted Re-Entering US

PROVIDENCE, RI – Kelvin Roberto Feliz, 54, a Dominican national with a history of heroin trafficking, admitted in federal court today that he illegally slipped back into the United States after being deported in 2015. The guilty plea comes as Feliz is already behind bars at the Adult Correctional Institution (ACI) on unrelated charges, a fact that likely won’t soften the coming sentence.

Feliz was initially convicted in September 2014 of trafficking heroin, a serious federal offense. Despite the conviction, he was deported to the Dominican Republic in July 2015. Apparently, a previous conviction and deportation aren’t enough to keep some criminals away. Details of *how* Feliz managed to re-enter the country remain murky, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) investigators were able to track him down and bring him to justice.

Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced the guilty plea, framing the case as part of “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping nationwide initiative designed to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels, and target transnational criminal organizations. While the rhetoric is strong, the reality is that Feliz represents a single case in a constant flow of individuals attempting to circumvent US immigration laws.

The Department of Justice is touting Operation Take Back America as a streamlining of resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood. Translation: they’re throwing more bodies and funding at the problem. Whether it’s effective remains to be seen, but the feds are clearly eager to show they’re taking action.

Feliz is scheduled to be sentenced on October 9, 2025. Assistant United States Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr. is prosecuting the case, meaning the government will be seeking a penalty that reflects the seriousness of the offense and serves as a deterrent to others. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district judge, who will consider sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Expect a significant term, given Feliz’s prior record.

This isn’t just about illegal reentry; it’s about a convicted drug trafficker disregarding the law and potentially continuing criminal activity on US soil. ICE’s investigation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking down and apprehending individuals who attempt to evade deportation orders. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.