Feds charge deported Dominican man with illegally reentering U.S. after CT arrest on drug, weapon charges
A Dominican national has been charged with illegally reentering the United States after being deported, federal officials said.
Jose Ozuna Crus, also known as Jose Cruz-Cruz, Jose Chapulin, Jose Ozuna-Montero and Jose Ozun-Cruz, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was arrested Thursday on a federal criminal complaint, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
The 48-year-old was deported to the Dominican Republic in February 2010, following a felony conviction in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California and a 37-month prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, federal officials said.
According to the criminal complaint, Ozuna reentered the U.S. and, on Nov. 21, 2022, was arrested by the Waterbury Police Department on multiple drug distribution and firearm possession charges.
Ozuna, who was currently out on bond in the state case, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven on Thursday and was ordered detained.
“If convicted of the charge of illegal reentry, Ozuna faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years,” according to a release from U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.
The state charges against Ozuna are pending, Avery said.