David Sanchez Murcia, Unlawful Reentry of a Deported Alien, Massachusetts 2020

BOSTON – A disturbing case of a repeat offender has come to light as David Sanchez Murcia, a 38-year-old Salvadoran national, was sentenced to time-served (approximately 18 months in prison) and one year of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

In January 2020, Sanchez Murcia pleaded guilty to unlawful reentry of a deported alien. However, this wasn’t his first run-in with the law.

It was revealed that in 2018, immigration authorities learned that Sanchez Murcia, who was illegally present in the United States, was arrested and charged in Suffolk County with rape of a child in November 2017. Sanchez Murcia posted bail on the rape charge and was released; ICE was not contacted.

ICE encountered Sanchez Murcia in 2018, placed him into removal proceedings, and on June 6, 2018, he was deported to El Salvador. Sometime after his 2018 removal, Sanchez Murcia illegally returned to the United States and was rearrested on the open child rape charges and held on bail.

ICE learned of his return and in July 2019, Sanchez Murcia was charged federally with illegal reentry. Sanchez Murcia went to trial on the rape charge in February 2020, which resulted in a mistrial. On April 17, 2020, Sanchez Murcia was released on the rape charges on personal recognizance, and was immediately taken into federal custody.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Todd Lyons, Acting Field Office Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), New England Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

Sanchez Murcia will be placed into removal proceedings. The case highlights the need for stricter immigration laws and better communication between law enforcement agencies to prevent repeat offenders from entering the country.

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