John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ARMANDO MACHORRO-ROJAS, 43, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Norwalk, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to seven months of imprisonment, time already served, for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on two occasions in March 2007, Machorro-Rojas had encounters with U.S. Border Patrol that resulted in his voluntary to Mexico. On March 23, 2012, Machorro Rojas was arrested by Norwalk Police and charged with operating a vehicle without a license and other offenses. On April 26, 2012, he was deported from the U.S. to Mexico.
On March 29, 2015, Machorro-Rojas was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Bisbee, Arizona. On April 15, 2015, he was again removed to Mexico.
On June 6, 2015, Machorro-Rojas was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. He was subsequently charged in the District of New Mexico with one count of reentry of a removed alien. He pleaded guilty to the offense, was sentenced to time served and, on July 10, 2015, was removed to Mexico.
On May 31, 2019, Machorro-Rojas was arrested by Norwalk Police and charged with burglary in the third degree, risk of injury, larceny in the third degree, breach of peace in the second degree, and interfering/resisting arrest. An immigration detainer that was lodged with the state authorities was not honored, and Machorro-Rojas was released on bond on July 5.
Machorro-Rojas has been detained since August 9, 2019, after he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. On December 6, 2019, he pleaded guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien.
Machorro-Rojas will again be removed to Mexico.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah Slater and Brendan Keefe.
This press release was originally published by the U.S. Department of Justice.
