A man with a history of felony driving while intoxicated convictions was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after being arrested for driving without a license on Long Island. Pablo Aguilar-Alvarez, 36, was arrested by police in Riverhead on Monday, less than two weeks after his fourth felony DWI conviction in 10 years, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney stated that Aguilar-Alvarez is a danger to the public due to his multiple felony convictions and history of repeat drunk driving. "Less than two weeks after his fourth felony DWI conviction, and despite explicit instructions not to drive, the defendant once again got behind the wheel of a vehicle," Tierney said.
Aguilar-Alvarez had been convicted of felony drunk driving by a jury but was released without bail by Suffolk County Judge Bryan Browns on August 10, pending his sentencing, which could have resulted in up to seven years in prison. He was scheduled to be sentenced on October 2.
Prosecutors allege that less than 10 days after his release, Aguilar-Alvarez was pulled over in Riverhead and found to be driving without a license. He was issued a summons for misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and had been prohibited by the court from operating any vehicle.
After his latest arrest, prosecutors consulted with federal immigration authorities. Aguilar-Alvarez was taken into ICE custody as he was leaving the District Attorney's office following processing on the new charge.
According to the District Attorney's office, Aguilar-Alvarez, who is from El Salvador, was deported in March 2024 after his third DWI conviction but subsequently re-entered the United States illegally. Tierney indicated plans to bring Aguilar-Alvarez back to Suffolk County to face sentencing for the felony DWI conviction and the new summons.