ERO Boston removes man wanted for murder in Honduras, convicted of aggravated assault in New Jersey

BOSTON — Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston deportation officers removed an unlawfully present Honduran national wanted for homicide in his home country on March 27.

According to ICE, 33-year-old Eric Jose Martinez Lopez was wanted for murder by Honduran law enforcement authorities.

Martinez has also been convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for aggravated assault in New Jersey.

“I continue to be impressed by the professionalism of our ERO Boston team and valued partners who dedicate their lives to increasing public safety,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. “This violent convicted criminal has no place in our community and has forfeited his right to remain here. The public can rest a bit easier now knowing that he has been removed to his country to face justice.”

Martinez legally entered the United States in 2014 but failed to comply with the terms of his admission. In February 2018, officers with ERO Newark encountered Martinez at the Atlantic County Jail in Mays Landing, New Jersey, where officials were holding him following his arrest on charges of aggravated assault and attempt to cause serious bodily injury. ERO Newark lodged an immigration detainer for Martinez pending resolution of the charges against him.

In October 2019, Martinez was convicted of the aggravated assault charges and sentenced to four years in state prison by the Superior Court of New Jersey in Atlantic County. In November 2020, the New Jersey Department of Corrections transferred Martinez to ERO Newark’s custody.

On April 28, 2021, a federal immigration judge with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review issued a final order of removal from the United States for Martinez.