Citizen of Honduras faces prison sentence for illegally re-entering the US

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Jose Luis Cuellar-Salazar, also known as Jose Salazar, 33, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to one count of illegally re-entering the United States after being deported. This case was investigated by ICE Detention and Removal Operations.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, Cuellar re-entered the United States illegally after twice being deported to Honduras, on Sept. 21, 2000, and Aug. 15, 2001. Each deportation followed a criminal conviction. On April 23, 2007, Cuellar was arrested in Norwalk where he subsequently was convicted of a crime and sentenced to six months of imprisonment.

Before re-entering the United States, anyone who has been deported must have the express consent of the U.S. Attorney General or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Judge Thompson has scheduled sentencing for July 11, 2008, at which time Cuellar faces a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Krishna R. Patel.