Albanian National Pleads Guilty To Illegal Reentry

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Alban Lukaj (52, Albania) has pleaded guilty to illegal reentry after removal subsequent to a conviction for commission of an aggravated felony. Lukaj faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Lukaj is a native and citizen of Albania. In 2009, Lukaj was convicted of trafficking and conspiracy to traffic MDMA. In 2010, he was convicted of aggravated battery with a firearm. Due to his conviction for an aggravated felony, Lukaj received a permanent ban from the United States. On February 10, 2020, following his release from state prison, Lukaj was deported to Albania. Law enforcement officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Miami – Jacksonville sub-office subsequently learned that Lukaj had unlawfully returned to the United States and arrested him in Jacksonville on August 11, 2023.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.