Two Guatemalan nationals, Hugo Lopez Morales, 48, and Martin Lopez Morales, 30, were arrested at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry in Lewiston, New York. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that both men face charges of illegal re-entry into the United States. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Hugo Lopez Morales faces an additional charge for illegal re-entry after a previous felony conviction, which could result in up to ten years in prison.
According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, on August 16, 2025, Hugo Lopez Morales was driving a vehicle with five passengers—including Martin Lopez Morales—when they arrived at the port of entry without valid U.S. entry documents. The group was taken to secondary inspection where authorities determined Hugo Lopez Morales had been previously deported to Guatemala in November 2016 and had also been convicted of illegal reentry in June 2023 before being deported again in August 2023. He had voluntarily returned from the United States to Mexico twice before as well.
Martin Lopez Morales was found to have been deported to Guatemala in October 2020 and had previously accepted voluntary return from the United States to Mexico three times between April 2001 and May 2021.
Both defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr., who ordered their detention pending further proceedings.
"The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty."
The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
