U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken Jorge Martinez Duenas, a 44-year-old illegal immigrant from Honduras, into custody on charges related to child endangerment and abuse in Connecticut. This arrest occurred on March 3.
"Jorge. Martinez has already been removed from the U.S. twice, and now he faces charges of victimizing a child in Connecticut," stated Patricia H. Hyde, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston. She added, "Children are among the most vulnerable members of our society, and we have zero tolerance for people who hurt them. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of our public and relentlessly pursue illegal alien child abusers in order to protect our communities."
Martinez first came to the attention of ICE officers at the Hartford field office following his arrest by Wethersfield Police Department in February 2008. He was served with a notice to appear before an immigration judge from the Justice Department.
On February 20, 2008, a DOJ immigration judge ordered Martinez's removal from the United States. ICE executed this order on March 28, 2008, sending him back to Honduras. However, later that year on April 23, Connecticut Superior Court in New Britain decided not to prosecute any charges against him.
Martinez was apprehended again by U.S. Border Patrol on September 5, 2008, after illegally re-entering the country. He was removed once more by ICE on September 13 of that year.
He is believed to have re-entered the U.S. between then and September 12, 2024, when he was arrested by Connecticut State Police on charges including risk of injury to a child and unlawful restraint in the first degree. These charges are pending with Connecticut Superior Court in New Britain.
Despite these serious allegations, Martinez was released from police custody before ICE could issue an immigration detainer against him. ICE officers subsequently arrested him while he was at large within the community on March 3; he remains detained by ICE.
Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or filling out an online tip form.
For more information about ICE’s mission concerning public safety in New England communities follow @EROBoston on X (formerly known as Twitter).
