Citizen Of Jamaica Who Illegally Reentered U.S. After Deportation Sentenced To 18 Months In Federal Prison

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RICHARD ECCLESTON STEPHENS, 38, a citizen of Jamaica last residing in New Britain, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 18 months of imprisonment for illegally reentering the United States after he was deported.

According to court documents and statements made in court, STEPHENS was deported from the U.S. to his native Jamaica in April 2001 after he was convicted in Connecticut state court for selling narcotics.  He illegally reentered the U.S. and, in June 2004, was arrested in Hartford for interfering/resisting arrest.  At the time of his arrest he provided several false names to law enforcement.  STEPHENS’ true identity was subsequently determined and he was deported to Jamaica in October 2004.

STEPHENS again illegally reentered the U.S.  On September 5, 2012, he was arrested by the Wethersfield Police Department and charged with multiple narcotics offenses and motor vehicle violations.  On that date, he also provided law enforcement with false identifying information.

STEPHENS has been detained since his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on September 6, 2012.  On December 18, 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of illegal reentry of a removed alien.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deborah R. Slater.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACT:

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