ICE Newark arrests illegal alien in New Jersey with prior conviction of vehicular homicide for illegal reentry

NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended Ismael Efrain Lopez-Bautista, 43, a citizen of Guatemala, March 11 for illegal reentry after deportation in Vineland, New Jersey.

Lopez-Bautista was previously convicted of vehicular homicide and was arrested by ICE illegal reentry. He is being prosecuted in U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey.

“Our Cherry Hill office, with support from our with our federal partners, ensured this criminal alien was held accountable for reentering the United States illegally after deportation,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “The FBI and DEA’s assistance aligns with our whole-government-approach in meeting our nation’s priorities in immigration enforcement.”

The Vineland Police Department arrested Lopez-Bautista Oct. 31, 2012, for knowingly leaving scene of motor vehicle accident and death by auto or vessel and driving while intoxicated. On May 30, 2014, the Superior Court of New Jersey convicted Bautista for death by auto or vessel and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment.

An immigration judge ordered Lopez-Bautista removed from the United States May 2, 2019, and ICE removed him May 16, 2019.

On Aug. 7, 2020, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Lopez-Bautista near Nogales, Arizona, while he was trying to illegally reenter the United States. The U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, sentenced Bautista Jan. 7, 2021, to 15-months incarceration for illegal reentry after deportation. ICE removed him from the United States for a second time May 25, 2022.

According to the ICE investigation, Lopez-Bautista illegally reentered the United States in December 2023, through Arizona, and was residing at an address in Vineland, New Jersey. ICE HSI obtained a criminal arrest warrant from the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey and arrested him March 11.

ICE transferred Lopez-Bautista into U.S. Marshals Service custody, pending illegal reentry prosecution and lodged an immigration detainer against him.

Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)