Yunior Benavides, a 49-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegally reentering the United States after being deported, according to a March 12 announcement from David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address illegal reentry and related offenses involving individuals previously removed from the country. Benavides had previously been convicted on federal charges related to narcotics distribution in the Hartford area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Benavides was originally charged in 2009 along with others for participating in a narcotics distribution conspiracy. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 60 months in prison before being deported to the Dominican Republic in November 2013. Authorities allege that he subsequently returned unlawfully to the United States. On March 6, HSI agents stopped a car driven by Benavides in West Hartford during an investigation into drug trafficking activities. He was identified as being unlawfully present and taken into custody.
Benavides appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas O. Farrish in Hartford and was ordered detained pending further proceedings. If convicted of unlawful reentry, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan said, “a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, described as a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
