Colombian National Sentenced to Federal ...

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Colombian National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Entering the U.S. After Being Deported 

Kevin J. O’Connor, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Jaime Sanchez-Ospina, age 37, a citizen of Colombia formerly residing in Stamford, Connecticut, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Janet C. Hall to 33 months of imprisonment for illegally re-entering the United States after twice being deported to Colombia.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on March 18, 1994, Sanchez-Ospina was arrested at the Bridge of Americas, Port of Entry, El Paso, Texas, for possession of approximately 2.5 pounds of heroin, which were concealed in his abdomen. Sanchez-Ospina pleaded guilty to the heroin trafficking offense and was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment. Following service of his term of imprisonment, Sanchez-Ospina was deported to Colombia on April 22, 1999. Sometime thereafter, Sanchez-Ospina re-entered the United States. On January 20, 2005, Sanchez-Ospina was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) in Stamford. He was removed to Colombia again on February 24, 2005. In January 2006, Sanchez-Ospina re-entered the U.S. on foot at Laredo, Texas. On June 9, 2006, he was found in Stamford and arrested without incident.

Before re-entering the United States, anyone who has been deported must have the express consent of the U.S. Attorney General or his successor, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

This case was investigated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys William M. Brown, Jr. and Krishna R. Patel.

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