Citizen of Peru Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that, on May 1, 2019, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging CESAR RUBEN YLLESCAS, 45, a citizen of Peru last residing in Hartford, with one count of illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

Yllescas was arrested yesterday in Hartford.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna F. Martinez in Hartford, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on August 1, 2014, Yllescas was arrested by Hartford Police for possession of narcotics.  On December 21, 2015, he pleaded guilty in state court to the drug offense and to a charge of failing to appear for a related court appearance.  After serving approximately six months of imprisonment, he was removed to Peru in June 2016.

If convicted of the charge of illegal reentry, Yllescas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Maigret.