Wilson Paul Loja-Angamarca, a 28-year-old citizen of Ecuador, has pleaded guilty to the charge of re-entry of a removed alien in Buffalo federal court. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara sentenced Loja-Angamarca to time served, after which he was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, Loja-Angamarca had previously been removed from the United States in October 2019 and lacked legal status or documents permitting him to be present in the country when he was found in Cattaraugus County, New York, on July 24, 2025.
The prosecution stems from Operation Take Back America, an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and targeting criminal organizations involved in related activities.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Border Patrol under Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato.
