Deported man sentenced for reentering U.S., arrested in Waterbury

WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — A Dominican Republic citizen was sentenced to prison Tuesday in New Haven for illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Jose Ozuna Cruz was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment.

Cruz was deported from the U.S. to the Dominican Republic in February 2010 after a felony conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, court documents said. He was also sentenced to 37 months in prison.

Court officials said that Cruz reentered the U.S. and was arrested on Nov. 21, 2022.

Waterbury police charged him with various state drug distribution and firearm possession offenses. Cruz has been in jail since Nov. 9, 2023.

He pled guilty to illegal reentry on Jan. 30 and the state charges are still pending.

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