Dominican man deported in 2010 for cocaine distribution sentenced for illegally re-entering U.S.

A Dominican national deported from the U.S. 14 years ago following a drug conviction has been sentenced to just over a year in prison for re-entering the country and once again being arrested on drug charges.

Jose Ozuna Cruz, 48, faced sentencing Tuesday in federal court in New Haven, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. He was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison.

Cruz has been detained since his federal arrest in November. His sentencing came after he pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry in January.

Authorities noted that Cruz also goes by Jose Cruz-Cruz, Jose Chapulin, Jose Ozuna-Montero, and Jose Ozun-Cruz.

According to federal officials, Cruz was deported to the Dominican Republic in February 2010 following a felony conviction in federal court in California for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. His deportation came after he served a 37-month prison sentence.

Federal officials said Cruz illegally re-entered the country before he was arrested by the Waterbury Police Department on Nov. 21, 2022, on drug distribution and firearm possession offenses. Those charges remain pending in the state-level court system.