Four defendants arrested, charged with illegal re-entry

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that four defendants were charged in separate criminal complaints with illegal re-entry, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Named in the complaints are:

• Eleo Francisco Lemus-Moreno, 40, a native and citizen of Honduras
• Douglas Noel Barahona-Martinez, 37, a native and citizen of El Salvador
• Diego Ignacio Sohom Tambriz a/k/a Hector Torres-Enriques, 40, a native and citizen of Guatemala
• Jose Mardoqueo Guevara-Pereira, 38, a native and citizen of El Salvador

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas, who is handling the cases, stated that according to the complaints, on December 4, 2025, law enforcement encountered defendant Lemus-Moreno in Williamsville, NY. When questioned about his immigration status he admitted that he was in the United States illegally with no valid immigration status and was taken into custody. Subsequent investigation determined that Lemus-Moreno was physically removed from the United States in May 2010, and March 2020.

On December 3, 2025, law enforcement encountered Barahona-Martinez during a traffic stop of a vehicle he was riding in in Lancaster, NY. Barahona-Martinez admitted to being illegally present in the United States without any valid immigration documents. He was taken into custody. Further investigation determined that he is a native and citizen of El Salvador and was physically removed from the United States in August 2014.

On December 3, 2025, law enforcement encountered Sohom Tambriz in Cheektowaga, NY. He stated that admitted to being illegally present in the United States without any valid immigration documents. Sohom Tambriz was taken into custody. Further investigation determined that he is a native and citizen of Guatemala and was physically removed from the United States in May 2008, and June 2018.

On December 2, 2025, law enforcement encountered Guevara-Pereira during a traffic stop in Amherst, NY. Guevara-Pereira stated that he was illegally present in the United States without any valid immigration documents. Further investigation determined that he is a native and citizen of El Salvador and was physically removed from the United States in July 2014.

All four defendants made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were detained.

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.

The complaints are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato.

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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