A British citizen has been charged with illegally reentering the United States after being deported, federal authorities announced on Apr. 8.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address illegal immigration and related criminal activity across multiple states.
According to David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New England, John O’Rourke—also known as John Casey and several other aliases—was charged by federal criminal complaint for unlawful reentry. O’Rourke appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.
Court documents allege that O’Rourke was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol near Fort Covington, New York on October 7, 2024 while using an alias alongside four others close to the Canadian border. He was removed from the U.S. to Canada on October 15, 2024 after it was determined he did not have legal status in the country.
Further investigation revealed that O’Rourke had been arrested under various names in multiple states between November 2023 and January 2026 for a range of offenses including evading responsibility and breach of peace in Bridgeport, Connecticut; pending cases in Suffolk County, New York; Everett and Snohomish County, Washington; Linden, New Jersey; as well as a larceny warrant issued by a judge in Danbury, Connecticut. Authorities also say he is wanted by law enforcement in Surrey, England.
O’Rourke’s most recent arrest occurred on March 2, 2026 in Pleasonton, California based on a warrant from Torrington, Connecticut charging him with larceny in the first degree and contractor-related offenses.
He has remained detained since his arrest. If convicted of unlawful reentry into the United States following removal or deportation, O’Rourke faces up to two years imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan said: “A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is leading the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel prosecutes the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative focused on combating illegal immigration and transnational crime.
