U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced the arrest and charging of three individuals with immigration-related offenses in Buffalo, New York. The arrests stem from a targeted enforcement action conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on February 24, 2025.
Hector Noel Soto-Villalta, aged 29 and a citizen of Honduras, faces charges of illegal reentry after deportation with a prior felony conviction. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Isaias Fernando Diego-Lucas, aged 39 and a citizen of Guatemala, is charged with illegal reentry after deportation, which could result in up to two years in prison. Manuel Juan Mateo, aged 52 and also a citizen of Guatemala, is charged with possession of a counterfeit alien resident card, carrying a potential sentence of up to 10 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sasha Mascarenhas and Andrew J. Henning are handling the case. According to the complaints filed against them, ICE's Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents observed an individual leaving a residence in Dunkirk, NY before stopping the vehicle he entered for questioning.
Records checks revealed that Hector Noel Soto-Villalta had been deported from the United States three times previously but was residing illegally in the country again. During questioning by agents, Isaias Fernando Diego-Lucas presented identification as being from Guatemala; records confirmed his illegal status in the U.S. Manuel Juan Mateo showed what he claimed was a real permanent resident card; however, it was determined to be fraudulent upon further inspection.
The defendants appeared initially before U.S Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J McCarthy where they were detained pending further proceedings.
This investigation involved collaboration between Homeland Security Investigations led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan; ICE Emergency Removal Operations under Acting Field Office Director Steven Kurzdorfer; along with assistance from Federal Bureau Investigation headed by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
As always within legal processes: "The fact that a defendant has been charged with crime is merely an accusation," stated officials adding “the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty."