Citizen of the Dominican Republic Residing in Danbury Pleads Guilty to Immigration Charge

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FREDDY ANTONIO MARTE-JEREZ, 58, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in Danbury, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 1998, Marte Jerez’s wife filed an I-130 Petition for an Alien Relative with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS”) providing documentation that she was a U.S. citizen and that she and Marte Jerez were legally married.  After the petition was approved, Marte Jerez filed an I-485 Applicaton for Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status.  This application was denied based on Marte Jerez’s failure to disclose a prior narcotics conviction in the State of Rhode Island.  In November 2000, Marte Jerez appeared before an Immigration Judge in Hartford and was released on bond while awaiting a hearing date.

In October 2007, Marte Jerez was convicted in Danbury Superior Court for sale of illegal drugs.  On March 3, 2010, following completion of his state sentence, Marte Jerez was deported to the Dominican Republic.

Marte Jerez illegally reentered the U.S. and was arrested while using the name “Antonio Nunez” in Danbury.  In December 2015, Marte Jerez was convicted in Danbury Superior Court of burglary in the third degree.  He was sentenced to three years of incarceration, execution suspended, and three years of probation.  Based on his use of a false identity, his arrest and conviction did not become known to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

On March 19, 2018, Marte Jerez, using a different identity, was arrested in Danbury for motor vehicle offenses.  His true identity was subsequently discovered through a fingerprint comparison and ICE took him into custody following his release from a state court appearance on June 27, 2018.  He has been detained since his arrest.

When he is sentenced, Marte Jerez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years for illegal reentry.  A sentencing date is not scheduled.

This investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

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Submitted by Danbury, CT

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