United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

CITIZEN OF HONDURAS ADMITS ILLEGALLY REENTERING THE UNITED STATES

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MINELIO ROMERO, also known as “Haner Chirino,” 34, a citizen of Honduras last residing on Garden Street in Hartford, pleaded guilty yesterday, July 14, before United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to one count of unlawful presence of a deported alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, ROMERO, who was deported from the United States in April 2007 and July 2008, was found in Hartford on May 13, 2010.

Before reentering the United States, anyone who has been deported must have the express consent of the United States Attorney General or his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.  ROMERO neither sought nor obtained the required permission to reenter the U.S.

Judge Arterton has scheduled sentencing for September 3, 2010, at which time ROMERO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Detention and Removal Operation.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Gustafson.

CONTACT:

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