BOSTON – Jose Manuel Arroyo, 39, a Dominican national with a rap sheet as long as his history of dodging deportation, pleaded guilty today in federal court to illegally reentering the United States – again. The repeat offender faces a potential prison sentence for his latest brazen attempt to circumvent federal immigration law.
Arroyo, who also operates under the alias Juan Manuel Tejeda-Serrano, admitted to one count of illegal reentry after deportation. A sentencing date remains unconfirmed, but federal prosecutors aren’t known for being lenient with serial immigration violators, especially those with ties to the drug trade. This isn’t Arroyo’s first rodeo; far from it.
Between 2005 and 2014, Arroyo was bounced from the United States a staggering five times. He’s already racked up four prior convictions for illegal reentry – three right here in Boston federal court between 2010 and 2013, and another in Texas back in 2006. Clearly, deportation isn’t a deterrent for this individual. His latest run-in with the law started with an arrest for identity fraud, quickly unearthing a deeper, more dangerous history.
Federal immigration officials flagged Arroyo in March 2017 when he was charged with a serious drug conspiracy. Under the name Juan Manuel Tejeda-Serrano, he was accused of plotting to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine – a lethal combination fueling the opioid crisis. While the drug charges remain unresolved, his illegal reentry has already secured a guilty plea.
The charge of illegal reentry after deportation carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a hefty $250,000 fine. However, any prison time will be followed by an inevitable return to his home country. Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb emphasized that the sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The investigation was spearheaded by Matthew J. Etre, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tobin, of Weinreb’s Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on Arroyo’s sentencing and ultimate deportation, should it finally stick. This case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement in dealing with persistent immigration offenders and the constant flow of narcotics into our communities.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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