U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest and charging of three individuals with immigration-related offenses in Buffalo, New York. The arrests stem from separate criminal complaints.
Hector Noel Soto-Villalta, a 29-year-old citizen of Honduras, faces charges of illegal reentry after deportation with a prior felony conviction. This charge carries a potential maximum sentence 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, a 52-year-old Guatemalan citizen, is charged with possession of a counterfeit alien resident card, carrying a possible maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sasha Mascarenhas and Andrew J. Henning are managing the case. According to the complaints filed, on February 24, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) conducted an enforcement action in Dunkirk, NY. Their goal was to locate and arrest an individual with a final order for removal.
During this operation, ICE ERO agents observed a man leaving a residence in Dunkirk and entering the back seat of a vehicle. Following this observation, agents stopped the vehicle and questioned its occupants.
A records check revealed that Hector Noel Soto-Villalta is illegally residing in the United States as he has been deported three times previously. During questioning by agents, Isaias Fernando Diego-Lucas presented an identification card from Guatemala under his name; records confirmed his illegal residency status in the U.S. Manuel Juan Mateo provided what he claimed was a legitimate permanent resident card; however, further investigation determined it was fraudulent.
The defendants appeared initially before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were detained following their court appearance.
These complaints resulted from an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan's direction; Immigration and Customs Enforcement Emergency Removal Operations directed by Acting Field Office Director Steven Kurzdorfer; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.
It is important to note that charges against these defendants are accusations at this stage; they remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
