Honduran National Cops To Illegal Entry In U.S.; Lived In Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 35-year-old Honduran National, who lived in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to one count of illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported, announced United States Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.

Marlon Amaya-Lopez, also known as Elder Figueroa, who last lived in Bridgeport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven. He remains in custody, having been arrested in November, and is scheduled to be sentenced in late-March.

According to court documents and statements, Amaya-Lopez was previously deported from the U.S. to Honduras following a felony conviction in April 2007 in Connecticut Superior Court for second-degree attempted robbery.

"He reentered the U.S. and returned to Connecticut without obtaining the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or his successor, the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, to reapply for admission into the U.S.," Roberts Avery said in a release.

At sentencing, Amaya-Lopez faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison. The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on his prior conviction, according to prosecutors.

This matter is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel, Anastasia E. King and Stephanie T. Levick.