NEW HAVEN, CONN.-A Mexican national pleaded guilty today to illegally re-entering the United States after twice being deported to Mexico resulting from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

U.S. Attorney Kevin J. O'Connor, and Bruce M. Foucart, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Boston, announced that Cesar Bastian Mojica, age 25, a native and citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to the charge of illegally re-entering the U.S. after twice being deported to Mexico.

According to documents filed with the Court and statement made in court, Bastian Mojica, formerly residing at 29 Leslie Street in Stamford, was convicted of possession of narcotics in Stamford Superior Court in July 1998, and was subsequently deported to Mexico on Sept. 19, 2000. During Feb. 2001, Bastian Mojica was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol while attempting to cross the border between Mexico and the United States. On April 26, 2001, Bastian Mojica was convicted in the U.S. District Court in Arizona for improper entry by an alien. He was sentenced to 90 days imprisonment and was then deported to Mexico for a second time on May 2, 2001.

Sometime thereafter, Bastian Mojica illegally retuned to the U.S. On Nov. 21, 2001, Bastian Mojica was convicted in New York of reckless endangerment and was sentenced to one to three years of incarceration. On December 19, 2003, Bastian Mojica was convicted in Stamford Superior Court of second-degree robbery and robbery involving a motor vehicle. He is currently serving a five-year sentence at Osborn Correctional Institution in Somers, Conn.

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.

Judge Underhill has scheduled sentencing for April 23, 2007, at which time Bastian Mojica faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by ICE. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys William M. Brown, Jr. and Krishna R. Patel.

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