Two Guatemalan nationals, Hugo Lopez Morales, 48, and Martin Lopez Morales, 30, were arrested and charged with illegal re-entry into the United States. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Both men face a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine for illegal re-entry. In addition, Hugo Lopez Morales faces an additional charge of illegal re-entry following a felony conviction, which carries up to 10 years in prison.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith explained that on August 16, 2025, Hugo Lopez Morales was stopped while driving at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry in Lewiston, New York. Five passengers were in the vehicle including Martin Lopez Morales. Neither man had valid entry documents for the United States. All occupants were taken to secondary inspection where further investigation revealed their prior removals from the country.
According to authorities, Hugo Lopez Morales was deported from the United States to Guatemala in November 2016 and had previously been convicted of illegal reentry in June 2023 before being deported again in August 2023. He also voluntarily returned to Mexico from the United States twice—in July 1998 and December 2004.
Martin Lopez Morales was deported to Guatemala in October 2020 and had previously returned voluntarily to Mexico from the United States once in April 2001 and twice more in May 2021.
Both defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr., who ordered their detention pending further proceedings.
The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection under Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
“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.”
