Aggravated Felon Pleads Guilty To Reentering The United States

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Luis Aguilar Torres, 35, of the United Kingdom and Ecuador, pleaded guilty to reentering the United States after a conviction for an aggravated felony before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott S. Allen, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that on September 19, 2016, the defendant attempted to cross into the United States from Canada at the Rainbow Bridge. Standard database checks revealed that Torres was an aggravated felon. In June 2000, the defendant was arrested in Queens County, NY for murder, murder-2nd degree, Robbery 1st, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. In January 2002, Torres pleaded guilty to the Robbery 1st charge and was sentenced to five years in prison. After serving his sentence, the defendant was deported from the United States and banned for life. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by United States Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Hilmey.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2017, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.