Guatemalan National Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging RAFAEL VINCENTE VINCENTE, also known as “Rafael Vicente Vicente,” “Vincente Carlos Vincente,” “Carlos Vincente,” “Carlos Vicente,” “Rafael A Vincente,” and “Rafael A Vicente,” 40, a citizen of Guatemala last residing in New London, with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

The indictment was returned on November 19, 2024, and Vincente was arrested today.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge, and was ordered detained.

As alleged in the indictment and statements made in court, Vincente was deported from the U.S. to Guatemala in July 2005 following convictions in Connecticut Superior Court for negligent homicide and evading responsibility for a motor vehicle accident resulting in death.  Vincente subsequently reentered the U.S. and, on June 7, 2024, was arrested by Groton Town Police and charged with attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor, attempted sexual assault in the second degree, and attempted risk of injury to a child.

If convicted of illegal reentry, Vincente faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

The state charges against Vincente are pending.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty 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 Daniel Gordon.