Mexican citizen receives federal jail term for illegal re-entry

HARTFORD, Conn.-A citizen of Mexico was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in jail followed by two years of supervised release for illegally re-entering the United States following his deportation in a case investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO).

Rutilio Cabrera-Flores, 30, formerly of New Britain, Conn., appeared in federal court in Hartford, where he was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny.

"This case sends a clear message that criminal aliens who illegally re-enter the United States will face criminal prosecution for flagrantly disregarding our laws," said Jim Martin, acting field office director of ICE ERO in New England. "It should also serve as a warning to others contemplating re-entering this country illegally following their deportation that eventually they will get caught."

According to court records, on August 19, 2009, Cabrera-Flores was deported to Mexico following his March 2009 conviction in Connecticut Superior Court in New Britain for strangulation in the second degree.

On October 17, 2009, Cabrera-Flores illegally re-entered the U.S. in Arizona and was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. He was removed to Mexico that same day.

Cabrera-Flores was arrested in New Britain in February 2010 and was later convicted in Connecticut Superior Court of larceny in the third degree. He is currently serving a 25-month state sentence.

Prior to his re-entry into the U.S., he had not sought or obtained the permission of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to re-apply for admission into the U.S., which is required by law. In February 2011, Cabrera-Flores pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful presence in the U.S.

The sentence was announced by David B. Fein, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut.