Honduran National Living in Bridgeport Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.

Vanessa Robers Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned an indictment charging NELSON ROMERO-MARTINEZ, 45, a citizen of Honduras last residing in Bridgeport, with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.

The indictment was returned on October 18, 2023, and Romero-Martinez was arrested today.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport and was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, on January 25, 2007, Romero-Martinez was convicted in Connecticut state court of second-degree assault.  He received a five-year prison sentence and was removed to Honduras in approximately January 2010.  Romero-Martinez subsequently tried to reenter the U.S. at least three more times and was deported to Honduras each time.  He successfully and unlawfully reentered the U.S. and, on August 5, 2023, was arrested by Bridgeport Police in connection with an alleged stabbing incident.

If convicted of the charge of illegal reentry, Romero-Martinez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ross Weingarten.