A Guatemalan national has admitted guilt in a federal court in Boston for reentering the United States unlawfully after being deported. Edilzar Morales-Barillas, aged 36, entered his guilty plea to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton has set the sentencing date for May 7, 2025. Morales-Barillas faced charges on July 31, 2024.
Morales-Barillas was initially deported from the United States on May 14, 2021. After this removal, he returned to the country without authorization. His illegal presence came to light on May 27, 2023, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement discovered him following an arrest related to his fourth offense of operating under the influence of alcohol.
The charge against Morales-Barillas carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a fine that could reach $250,000. Upon completing any imposed sentence, he will face deportation proceedings once more. Sentencing decisions are made by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley alongside Todd M. Lyons, Field Office Director for Boston's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan from the Criminal Division is handling the prosecution.