Citizen of Mexico Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the U.S.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SIMON RODRIGO TORAL-CONTRERAS, 46, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Waterbury, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer in New Haven to approximately five months of imprisonment, time already served, for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, in May 2018, Toral-Contreras was arrested by the Waterbury Police Department for misdemeanor offenses.  In June 2018, he was deported from the U.S. to Mexico.  In August 2018, U.S. Border Patrol encountered Toral-Contreras in Brownsville, Texas.  He as was subsequently charged and convicted in the Southern District of Texas of illegal entry and was again removed to Mexico.

On October 10, 2018, Toral-Contreras was arrested by the Waterbury Police Department and charged with felony drug offenses.

Toral-Contreras has been detained in federal custody since November 1, 2018.  On January 17, 2019, he pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of reentry of a removed alien.

On March 22, 2019, Toral-Contreras pleaded guilty in state court to operation of a drug factory and possession with intent to sell a narcotic drug, and was sentenced to three years of imprisonment, execution suspended and conditional discharge.

This investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Detention and Removal Operations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.