A Guatemalan national residing illegally in New Bedford has pleaded guilty to reentering the United States unlawfully after deportation. Mario Lopez, 35, admitted guilt to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in federal court in Boston. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper has set the sentencing for July 10, 2025. Lopez was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2025.
Lopez was initially deported from the United States on December 8, 2010, following an assault conviction in Maryland. After his removal, he attempted to return twice in 2022 but was denied entry both times. Subsequently, he reentered the country unlawfully on an unspecified date.
In November 2023, local law enforcement arrested Lopez in Westport due to an open warrant. He faced arrest again in March 2024 in New Bedford for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and other charges including open and gross lewdness and an open container violation. In December 2024, he was arrested once more in New Bedford for operating under the influence of liquor, leaving the scene of property damage, negligent operation, and additional charges.
The charge of unlawful reentry could result in a sentence of up to ten years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine reaching $250,000. Upon completion of any imposed sentence, Lopez is subject to deportation. Sentences are determined 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 along with Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director for Boston's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds is prosecuting the case.
