Dominican National Gets 18 Months for Re-Entering US After Prior Removal

A Dominican national was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the felony offense of re-entering the United States after a prior removal.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. handed down the sentence to Odanis Manuel Brea Mejia, 54, on April 1, 2025. He pleaded guilty on March 20, 2025.

Brea Mejia, a Dominican national with an extensive criminal history, had been previously removed from the country in October 2021 following a Massachusetts conviction for distributing heroin. Since Brea Mejia’s prior removal, he had not obtained consent to re-enter the U.S.

According to court records, in January 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) with a search warrant in Lewiston. During the warrant’s execution, investigators arrested Brea Mejia for drug trafficking.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals 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 our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

HSI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case with assistance from the MDEA. Brea Mejia’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of re-entering the US after a prior removal.

The Department of Justice is committed to enforcing our nation’s immigration laws and holding accountable those who choose to disregard them.