Wilson Paul Loja-Angamarca Pleads Guilty

Wilson Paul Loja-Angamarca, 28, a citizen of Ecuador, has pleaded guilty to re-entry of a removed alien in a federal court in New York. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who stated that Loja-Angamarca was sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, Loja-Angamarca is an alien without any legal status in the United States. He was removed from the United States in October 2019, but was found to be back in the country on July 24, 2025, in Cattaraugus County, NY. At the time of his arrest, Loja-Angamarca did not have any documents allowing him to be legally present in the United States.

The case against Loja-Angamarca is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime. The operation seeks to marshal the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime.

The investigation that led to Loja-Angamarca’s plea and sentencing was conducted by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato. The case was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who worked tirelessly to bring Loja-Angamarca to justice.

The guilty plea and sentencing of Loja-Angamarca serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat illegal immigration and protect national security. The case also highlights the importance of Operation Take Back America, which has been instrumental in identifying and prosecuting individuals who seek to evade the law and undermine the integrity of the immigration system.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo praised the work of the U.S. Border Patrol and the Department of Justice in bringing Loja-Angamarca to justice. The sentencing of Loja-Angamarca to time served and his subsequent turnover to Immigration and Customs Enforcement mark the culmination of a successful investigation and prosecution.

The case of Wilson Paul Loja-Angamarca serves as a warning to those who would seek to evade the law and enter the United States illegally. The Department of Justice and its partners will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute individuals who seek to undermine the integrity of the immigration system and threaten national security. As the nation continues to grapple with the complex issues surrounding immigration, cases like that of Loja-Angamarca remind us of the importance of upholding the law and protecting the integrity of our borders.