Mexican National, An Illegal Ex-Norwalk Resident, Sentenced: Feds

NORWALK, CT — A 43-year-old Mexican citizen, who authorities said illegally reentered the United States on multiple occasions after being deported, was sentenced to seven months in prison (time already served) this week and will again be deported to Mexico.

Armando Machorro-Rojas, who last lived in Norwalk, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport, announced U.S. Attorney John Durham.

Machorro-Rojas was indicted last August on federal charges of illegal reentry following deportation.

According to court documents and statements:

• On two occasions in March 2007, Machorro-Rojas had encounters with U.S. Border Patrol that resulted in his voluntary [return] 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.

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.