A Dominican national residing in Methuen has admitted guilt in federal court in Boston for unlawfully re-entering the United States after deportation and possessing narcotics intended for distribution.
Raul Fernando Lora, aged 44, pleaded guilty to charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and over 40 grams of fentanyl, as well as unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun has scheduled his sentencing for July 16, 2025. Lora was initially charged in November 2023.
Lora had been removed from the United States twice before: on July 2, 2013, and June 5, 2018. Prior to his first removal, he was convicted of aggravated identity theft for using a Puerto Rican citizen's identity fraudulently. Additionally, he holds prior convictions under the stolen identity for possession with intent to distribute heroin, firearms offenses, and assault and battery.
In 2023, federal immigration authorities were alerted to Lora’s presence in the country after receiving notifications that his fingerprints were taken due to criminal charges in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He had outstanding default warrants related to both cases.
On October 3, 2023, Lora was arrested while found possessing a sock containing over 200 grams of fentanyl and more than 30 grams of cocaine distributed across multiple plastic bags.
The charge of unlawful reentry could result in up to ten years imprisonment along with three years supervised release and a fine reaching $250,000. The charge concerning possession with intent to distribute controlled substances mandates at least five years imprisonment but could extend up to forty years; it also includes at least four years supervised release alongside potential fines up to $250,000. Following any imposed sentence completion by a federal district court judge based on U.S Sentencing Guidelines governing criminal case determinations—deportation proceedings will commence against him.
United States Attorney Leah B Foley together with Patricia H Hyde—Field Office Director from U.S Immigration & Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement Removal Operations within Boston—announced these developments today; Assistant U.S Attorney Brian J Sullivan from Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting this case.