John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ALFREDO DAGOBERTO HERCULES-SANTOS, 40, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in Bridgeport to one count of reentry of removed alien. Hercules-Santos is a citizen of El Salvador last residing in New Britain.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in July 2005, Hercules-Santos was removed from the U.S. to El Salvador. He illegally reentered the U.S., was found in the U.S. in November 2012, and was removed to El Salvador in January 2013. He again illegally reentered the U.S., was found in the U.S. in May 2014, and was removed to El Salvador in June 2014.
Hercules-Santos illegally reentered the U.S. a third time. On Aug. 19, 2018, the Vernon Police Department arrested Hercules-Santos and charged him with driving under the influence after he crashed an SUV he was driving into an unmarked Vernon Police cruiser. At the time, he had a separate driving under the influence case pending in New Britain Superior Court. Both cases were resolved with guilty pleas.
Hercules-Santos has been detained since his arrest.
Judge Bolden scheduled sentencing for Feb. 19, 2019, at which time Hercules-Santos faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with the assistance of the Vernon Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
