United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

CITIZEN OF MEXICO ADMITS ILLEGALLY RE-ENTERING THE U.S.

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ARON ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA, also known as Aron Zambrano-Pablo, Aron Zambrano, and Aaron Zambrano, 29, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty yesterday, September 17, before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport to one count of illegally re-entering the United States after being deported.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on November 4, 1990, ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA was admitted to the United States as a lawfully admitted permanent resident. On August 9, 1997, ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA was arrested by the Branford Police for possession of narcotics.  On October 20, 1997, ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA was arrested by the New Haven Police for possession of narcotics and other charges.  He was rearrested on February 1, 1998 after failing to appear for court.  On July 1, 1998, ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA was sentenced to four years, execution suspended, with six months to serve and three years of probation.  On approximately October 1, 2003, ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA was deported.

ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA illegally re-entered the United States and, on approximately May 15, 2007, he again was removed to Mexico.

On June 21, 2007, ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA, using the name Aron Zambrano-Pablo, was apprehended by the United States Border Patrol after illegally re-entering the United States through Mexico. He was removed to Mexico four days later through expedited removal proceedings.

On December 17, 2007, ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA again was found in the United States when the New Haven Police Department contacted officers of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and stated that ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA was arrested for assault in the first degree and other charges.

Before re-entering the United States, anyone who has been deported must have the express consent of the U.S. Attorney General or his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall on December 10, 2008, at which time ZAMBRANO-ORTEGA faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rahul Kale and Paralegal Specialist Edward Storck.

CONTACT:

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