A Dominican national residing in Lawrence, Massachusetts, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawful reentry into the United States following deportation. Santos Eduardo Diaz Melo, 41, faces one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. He was arrested by immigration authorities on May 9, 2025, and is expected to make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
The indictment states that Diaz Melo was deported from the United States on May 5, 2020. It is alleged that he illegally reentered the country without permission sometime after his removal.
The charge carries a potential sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Upon completion of any sentence imposed, the defendant may be subject to deportation. Sentences are determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston announced the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm from the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that these details are allegations contained within charging documents. The defendant remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
