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Repeat Offender Luis Moreno-Tejeda Sentenced to Federal Prison
BOSTON – Luis Moreno-Tejeda, 39, a Dominican national with a lengthy rap sheet, received a 24-month federal prison sentence yesterday for the crime of illegally reentering the United States after being previously deported. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton didn’t show leniency, ordering the sentence to be served consecutively with a 30-month state sentence already handed down in Suffolk Superior Court.
Moreno-Tejeda’s troubles with the law stretch back to 2002, when he was convicted of bribery and subsequently deported. He didn’t stay away. In 2005, operating under the alias Ricardo Rodriguez, he was busted for cocaine distribution in Suffolk Superior Court, earning a 48-60 month sentence. A crucial detail hampered authorities at the time: altered fingerprints prevented positive identification, obscuring his prior conviction and immigration status. It allowed him to slip through the cracks and return to the streets.
The scheme to hide his identity didn’t last forever. In September 2016, Moreno-Tejeda was again convicted in Suffolk Superior Court, this time for heroin distribution, and sentenced to another 30 months behind bars. Now, with his true identity confirmed, Judge Gorton stacked the federal sentence on top of the existing state time, sending a clear message about the consequences of flouting immigration law and continuing criminal activity.
Federal prosecutors were able to build a solid case, demonstrating Moreno-Tejeda’s blatant disregard for the law. The investigation highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement when dealing with repeat offenders who attempt to conceal their identities. The altered fingerprints represent a serious lapse in protocol that allowed a dangerous individual to remain a threat to public safety for years.
Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb and Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, jointly announced the sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Weinreb’s Criminal Division handled the prosecution. Following completion of his combined 54-60 month sentence, Moreno-Tejeda will be deported – this time, authorities will ensure he stays gone.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the efforts of federal agencies to combat illegal reentry and drug trafficking in the Boston area. This case serves as a stark reminder that crossing the border illegally, especially after deportation, carries significant consequences.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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