Jose Alberto Tejeda Turbi, a Dominican national residing unlawfully in Lawrence, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty on Mar. 9 in federal court in Boston to illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address unlawful reentry into the country following deportation for prior criminal convictions.
Tejeda Turbi, age 46, admitted guilt to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for April 2. Tejeda Turbi was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2026.
According to court records, Tejeda Turbi was previously convicted in July 2015 in Boston federal court for heroin distribution and conspiracy. He received a five-year prison sentence and four years of supervised release before being deported from the United States in March 2020 upon completion of his sentence.
After his removal from the country, Tejeda Turbi returned without permission. In June 2024, he was sentenced in Lawrence District Court to two years in prison for assault and battery resulting in serious bodily injury and received three years of probation for other charges.
The charge of unlawful reentry carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine up to $250,000. Upon completion of any imposed sentence, Tejeda Turbi is subject to deportation again. Sentencing will be determined according to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant statutes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston announced the plea agreement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad A. Rocheville is prosecuting the case.