A Dominican national, Raul Fernando Lora, 45, has been sentenced to 66 months in prison for unlawfully re-entering the United States after deportation and possessing narcotics intended for distribution.
Lora, residing in Methuen, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of unlawful reentry of deported alien. He was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun and will be followed by four years of supervised release.
Lora was previously removed from the United States on July 2, 2013, and June 5, 2018. Before his first removal, Lora was convicted of aggravated identity theft for fraudulently using the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen. Additionally, Lora has prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute heroin, firearms offenses, and assault and battery — all of which were under the name of the identity Lora had stolen.
In 2023, immigration authorities became aware of Lora’s presence in the United States after being notified that his fingerprints were taken in connection with criminal charges in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Lora had default warrants outstanding for both cases.
Lora was arrested on Oct. 3, 2023, at which time he was found in possession of a sock that contained over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 30 grams of cocaine in multiple plastic bags. The arrest marked the culmination of a joint effort by law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case, which highlights the ongoing efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and unauthorized re-entry into the United States.
The sentence handed down to Lora reflects the severity with which the justice system treats individuals who repeatedly flout the law and engage in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety. As Lora serves his sentence, he will also be subject to deportation upon completion, marking an end to his repeated attempts to evade the law and exploit the system for his own gain.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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