Citizen Of Mexico Who Illegally Reentered U.S. After Deportation Is Sentenced

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ROMAN PONCE, 36, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Norwich, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to 10 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after he was deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, PONCE was deported from the U.S. to his native Mexico in 1999 after sustaining domestic assault, assault and disorderly conduct convictions in Rhode Island.  PONCE illegally reentered the U.S. and, in 2001, was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island of illegal reentry.  He was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and deported to Mexico in 2002.

On September 30, 2012, PONCE was arrested by the Norwich Police Department for disorderly conduct.

PONCE has been detained in federal custody since February 6, 2013.  On April 16, he pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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