Convicted Attempted Arsonist Sentenced to Federal Prison After Illegally Reentering the U.S.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson sentenced Jairo Eliu Aguilar-Lopez, 54, of El Salvador, to 15 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for illegally reentering the United States after he was deported on two separate occasions.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Field Office Director Jeremy Bacon, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

Aguilar-Lopez is an El Salvadorian national who first entered the United States in February 2019.  According to immigration records, law enforcement removed him from the United States on May 9, 2019.  But then on March 12, 2020, Aguilar-Lopez reentered the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas. Authorities removed him again on April 3, 2020.

Later, Aguilar-Lopez reentered the United States. Aguilar-Lopez had not obtained permission to reenter the U.S.  Then, on August 16, 2024, Aguilar-Lopez pled guilty to first degree attempted arson in Baltimore, Maryland.  Evidence presented during sentencing in the federal case included a video of Aguilar-Lopez dousing the victim’s home in gasoline. Additionally, the government presented records showing that he threatened to set the victim’s home on fire if she did not leave Baltimore.

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 praised ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Reema Sood 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, visit justice.gov/usao-md  and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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