Four-time DWI offender detained by ICE after defying court’s ‘no driving’ order, Tierney says

Pablo Aguilar-Alvarez was pulled over by DA detectives in Riverhead less than two weeks after his fourth felony DWI conviction

A four-time felony DWI offender who was explicitly barred from driving pending sentencing was pulled over by Suffolk County District Attorney’s detectives in Riverhead — then detained by federal immigration agents, DA Raymond Tierney said Tuesday.

Pablo Aguilar-Alvarez was nabbed Sunday for second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, less than two weeks after a jury convicted him of his fourth felony DWI in the past decade, Tierney said.

Detective investigators stopped Aguilar-Alvarez’s vehicle near Main Street in Riverhead, seeing that he was driving without a valid license. He was taken in for processing and issued a summons.

After the DA’s office consulted with federal immigration authorities, Aguilar-Alvarez was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following his arrest processing.

“It is self-evident that given his history of multiple felony convictions, Pablo Aguilar-Alvarez is a clear and present danger to any Suffolk County citizen traveling on our roads,” Tierney said. “He is a repeat felony drunk driver who does not belong behind the wheel.”

Aguilar-Alvarez was convicted Aug. 7 of driving recklessly in Southampton with a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. It was his fourth felony DWI conviction in the last 10 years, on top of an earlier misdemeanor DWI.

He was deported in 2024 following his third DWI conviction and has been in the country illegally since returning, Tierney said.

After his conviction this month, the DA’s office asked the court to remand Aguilar-Alvarez until sentencing, Tierney said, citing his history of disregarding the law and concerns he would flee the country.

The court declined, releasing him pending sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 2. His license was revoked and he was given an explicit order not to drive, the DA said.

_{Top: Pablo Aguilar-Alvarez (provide by SCDA).}