A 34-year-old Brazilian national, Thiago Aquino-De Paula, residing in Worcester, Massachusetts, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to unlawful reentry into the United States after being deported. Aquino-De Paula, who remains in federal custody after being charged in March 2025, allegedly reentered the country without authorization following a previous deportation.
The charging documents state that Aquino-De Paula had been deported from the United States three times, including once on November 4, 2021. Authorities claim he returned to the United States illegally after this date. His presence in Massachusetts was discovered following his arrest in Uxbridge for allegedly operating under the influence.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Aquino-De Paula faces deportation after the completion of any sentence. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge in accordance with U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and applicable statutes.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, the Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown from the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that all details in the charging documents are currently allegations, and Aquino-De Paula is considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.