Ecuadorian Man Living On Cape Cod Faces Federal Immigration Charge

YARMOUTH, MA — An Ecuadorian national illegally residing in Yarmouth has been indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Jose Tomas Lema Pugo, also known as Jose Luis Ledezma, 59, was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts said. Lema Pugo was arrested by immigration authorities on May 9, 2025.

According to the indictment, Lema Pugo was deported from the United States to Ecuador in November 2013. It is alleged that sometime after his November 2013 removal, Lema Pugo illegally reentered the United States without permission.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien with a prior felony criminal conviction provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed.