A federal grand jury in New Haven has indicted Julio Cesar Fernandez-Salazar, a 44-year-old citizen of Mexico, on charges of unlawfully reentering the United States, according to a March 18 announcement by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address illegal reentry and related offenses. Fernandez-Salazar is alleged to have used multiple aliases and has a history of prior convictions and deportations dating back to 2007.
According to court documents, Fernandez-Salazar was first convicted of an immigration violation in October 2007 in Arizona and was returned to Mexico after serving a sentence. He was deported again in June 2009 following convictions for failure to appear and driving with a suspended license. In July 2009, he was arrested near the U.S./Mexico border by U.S. Border Patrol and deported once more.
Further allegations state that Fernandez-Salazar illegally reentered the country again and was convicted in April 2017 in Maricopa County for unlawful imprisonment and solicitation to commit misconduct involving weapons. In April 2018, he faced another conviction for unlawful reentry in Arizona federal court before being deported again.
On November 27, 2024, Connecticut State Police arrested Fernandez-Salazar in Colchester on charges including illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He was released on bond but later charged federally with unlawful reentry on July 18, 2025. Authorities located him in Arizona on February 25, 2026; he has been detained since then. The indictment was returned on March 17, 2026.
If convicted of unlawful reentry, Fernandez-Salazar faces up to twenty years in prison.
“U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” The investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Lembo.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.