Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman sentenced Cesar Odilo Contreras-Lopez, 27, a Guatemalan national residing in Hyattsville, Maryland, to 63 days in federal prison for re-entry of an illegal alien after a prior removal.Kelly O. Hayes, U.S.
Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.According to his guilty plea, Contreras-Lopez was illegally in the United States. Contreras-Lopez was previously removed from the U.S. following proceedings before an immigration judge. As part of his removal, Contreras-Lopez was advised that he is permanently excluded from re-entering the U.S.Following his removal, Contreras-Lopez voluntarily and unlawfully re-entered the U.S. without inspection or permission.
He never sought nor obtained the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for re-admission.According to a criminal complaint filed in the case, Contreras-Lopez initially unlawfully entered the U.S. at a place other than a designated point of entry on an unknown date and at an unknown location. On November 5, 2016, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Baltimore assisted the Prince George’s County Police Department with a search warrant. Law enforcement encountered Contreras-Lopez during the search and determined that heentered the U.S. unlawfully. Additionally, Contreras-Lopez confirmed his Guatemalan nationality and his association with La Mara Salvatrucha, commonly referred to as MS-13.On January 9, 2017, an immigration judge ordered Contreras-Lopez’s removal which occurred on February 2.
Then on July 10, USBP encountered Contreras-Lopez again, this time near Carrizo Springs, Texas. He pled guilty and received a 25-day sentence. Following the sentence, Contreras-Lopez was removed from the U.S. back to Guatemala.Then on an unknown date and at an unknown location, Contreras-Lopez unlawfully re-entered the U.S. again. On September 14, 2023, ERO Baltimore found Contreras-Lopez leaving a Hyattsville, Maryland residence.Law enforcement arrested Contreras-Lopez without incident, and he was removed to Guatemala on November 2.
But Contreras-Lopez then unlawfully re-entered the U.S. again on an unknown date at an unknown location.In October 2025, USMS and ERO San Antonio officers teamed up on an enforcement operation in Washington, DC in connection with a joint-crime initiative. On October 13, USMS located Contreras-Lopez driving a vehicle. Law enforcement stopped the car, but Contreras-Lopez attempted to flee on foot before authorities apprehend him.This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in this investigation.
Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darren Gardner and William Moomau who prosecuted the federal case.For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.# # #