Lawrence Man Zepeda Gets 8 Months for Illegal Return

BOSTON – Brayan Zepeda, 33, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, is facing the consequences for flouting a deportation order. Zepeda was sentenced today in federal court to eight months behind bars for illegally reentering the United States, a move that triggered immediate deportation proceedings upon his release.

U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick handed down the sentence, followed by a year of supervised release. Zepeda pleaded guilty on March 28, 2024, to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. The case underscores the federal government’s continued crackdown on those who attempt to circumvent immigration laws.

Court records reveal Zepeda, a citizen of Guatemala, was previously deported on January 12, 2023, after serving time for a disturbing pattern of domestic violence. He’d racked up multiple state sentences for domestic assault and violating a restraining order – offenses that clearly didn’t deter him. Despite the deportation, Zepeda brazenly returned to U.S. soil.

His return didn’t go unnoticed for long. The Littleton Police Department arrested Zepeda in October 2023, bringing him back into the federal system. The quick apprehension highlights the cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director for Boston’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, jointly announced the sentencing. The government clearly signaled it won’t tolerate repeated immigration violations, especially by individuals with a history of violence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady, of the Major Crimes Unit, skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Zepeda faced the full weight of federal law. With the sentence handed down, Zepeda now faces a swift return to Guatemala, a prospect that should give pause to anyone contemplating similar illegal actions.