Ecuadorian man charged with illegal re-entry

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today Manuel Fernando Loja-Loja, 38, a citizen of Ecuador, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. Henning and Sasha Mascarenhas, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 28, 2025, a North Tonawanda police officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction in the vicinity of Thompson and Payne Avenues. North Tonawanda Police contacted U.S. Border Patrol to assist in identifying the occupants of the vehicle, including Loja-Loja. Through questioning, it was determined that Loja-Loja is a citizen and national of Ecuador, and not a National of the United States. Loja-Loja did not have any documents that would allow him to be or remain in the United States lawfully. A records check determined that Loja-Loja was physically deported from the United States in March 2004.

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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Loja-Loja made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass and U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.   

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.     

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