Melvin Alexander Orellana-Martinez, Unlawful Reentry, Massachusetts 2023

BOSTON – In a shocking turn of events, 54-year-old Melvin Alexander Orellana-Martinez, a Salvadoran national, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Orellana-Martinez was previously removed from the United States on eight separate occasions between July 2007 and January 2020. The defendant’s history of immigration offenses is staggering, with convictions in California and Texas federal courts on five separate occasions for either illegal reentry or improper entry.

His most recent deportation occurred on January 14, 2020. However, Orellana-Martinez found his way back into the country, only to be arrested on January 6, 2023, on unrelated state charges. Federal immigration authorities were notified of his presence in the United States, leading to his indictment for unlawful reentry.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing guidelines will be applied by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns, who will determine the defendant’s fate.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Todd M. Lyons, Boston’s Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg will prosecute the case.

Orellana-Martinez’s guilty plea is a stark reminder of the consequences of repeated immigration offenses. The case serves as a warning to others who may consider reentering the United States after deportation.

The defendant will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what other charges Orellana-Martinez may face.

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