United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

MEXICAN NATIONAL FORMERLY RESIDING IN NEW BRITAIN PLEADS GUILTY TO ILLEGAL REENTRY

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTONIO ROMERO VAQUERO, age 26, a native and citizen of Mexico formerly residing at 14 Nancy Road, New Britain, Connecticut, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Christopher F. Droney in Hartford to the charge of illegally re-entering the United States after being deported to Mexico in October 2003.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, ROMERO VAQUERO was convicted in August 2003 in New Britain Superior Court of risk of injury to a minor by sexual contact, an aggravated felony. As a result, an immigration judge ordered ROMERO VAQUERO deported. ROMERO VAQUERO was deported to Mexico in October 2003.

In 2005, ROMERO VAQUERO illegally reentered the United States through the desert at a point in Arizona. Following his reentry, ROMERO VAQUERO was convicted in March 2006 in New Britain Superior Court of third degree assault and risk of injury to a minor, and was sentenced to serve two years 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 his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Judge Droney has scheduled sentencing for March 3, 2007, at which time ROMERO VAQUERO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William M. Brown, Jr. and Krishna R. Patel.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov