Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston removed a Guatemalan fugitive wanted by authorities in his home country for assaulting a public official, illegally transporting firearms and forging or altering a license plate. Officers with ERO Boston removed Victor Francisco Lopez-Padilla from the United States to Guatemala July 22 and turned him over to Guatemalan authorities.
“Victor Francisco Lopez-Padilla unlawfully came to the United States in an apparent attempt to escape justice in his home country, and then proceeded to break the law here,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons. “Our officers returned him to Guatemalan authorities to face the law in his native land. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing egregious noncitizen offenders from our New England communities.”
U.S. Border Patrol arrested Lopez June 20, 2019, after he unlawfully entered the United States near San Luis, Arizona. Border Patrol officials served Lopez a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge. Later that day, officials released Lopez on an order of recognizance.
On Dec. 13, 2019, a DOJ immigration judge in San Francisco, California, ordered Lopez removed from the United States to Guatemala.
Guatemalan authorities issued a warrant for Lopez’s arrest Sept. 19, 2022, for the offenses of altered/forged license plates, illegal transport of firearms and assault of public official.
A federal grand jury in the District of Vermont indicted Lopez June 29, 2023, for human smuggling charges.
ERO officers arrested Lopez Aug. 1, 2023, in Trenton, New Jersey.
Lopez pled guilty to human smuggling charges July 12 at the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont. The court sentenced Lopez to time served. ERO Boston then took custody of Lopez.
ERO Guatemala and the Security Alliance for Fugitive Enforcement task force notified ERO Boston July 16 that Lopez was wanted by Guatemalan authorities.
Officers from ERO Boston removed Lopez from the United States to Guatemala July 22 and turned him over to Guatemalan authorities.
