Deported Mexican citizen admits illegally returning to the US

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A citizen of Mexico, recently residing in New Britain, Conn., waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty Monday to one count of illegal re-entry of a removed alien in a case investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Ramiro Flores Moreno, 44, appeared before U.S. District Judge Janet C. Hall in Bridgeport, Conn., according to U.S. Attorney David B. Fein, District of Connecticut.

According to court records, Moreno was deported from the United States to his native Mexico in May 1994, following a federal conviction for distribution of cocaine. ICE HSI investigators believe Moreno illegally re-entered the U.S. sometime in February 2000, without first obtaining the consent of the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security to reapply for admission into the United States.

On Feb.16, 2011, Moreno was arrested by the Connecticut State Police in Hartford, Conn., on a narcotics offense. The investigation revealed that he was in the country illegally. Moreno has been detained in federal custody since July 2011.

Judge Hall has scheduled sentencing for Dec. 19, 2011. Moreno faces a maximum 20 year jail term.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj Patel.