Immigrant Charged In Wethersfield In 2008 Now In ICE Custody: Feds

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Federal officials say an illegal immigrant charged in Wethersfield back in 2008 is now facing child endangerment and abuse charges with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to ICE, federal officials March 3 took Jorge Martinez Duenas, a 44-year-old illegal alien from Honduras, into custody and charged him with multiple crimes related to child endangerment and abuse, on March 3.

While Duenas was taken into ICE custody on March 3, ICE didn't release any information on the situation until May 19.

“Jorge. Martinez has already been removed from the U.S. twice, and now he faces charges of victimizing a child in Connecticut,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde, who oversees ERO’s efforts in New England.

“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.”

Officers from ICE Boston’s Hartford field office learned of Martinez following his arrest by the Wethersfield Police Department in February 2008.

ICE officers served Martinez with a notice to appear before a Justice Department immigration judge.

On Feb. 20, 2008, the DOJ immigration judge ordered Martinez removed from the United States.

ICE Boston removed Martinez from the United States to Honduras on March 28, 2008.

On April 23, 2008, the Connecticut Superior Court in New Britain declined to prosecute any of the charges.

U.S. Border Patrol arrested Martinez on Sept. 5, 2008, after he illegally re-entered the United States, and on Sept. 13, 2008, ICE again removed Martinez from the United States to Honduras, ICE said.

According to ICE, Martinez illegally reentered the country sometime between then and Sept. 12, 2024, when the Connecticut State Police arrested and charged him with risk of injury to a child, intent to commit cruelty on a child under the age of 19, and unlawful restraint in the first degree.

All the charges are currently pending with the Connecticut Superior Court in New Britain.

The police released Martinez from custody before ICE could lodge an immigration detainer against him.

Officers with ICE Boston’s Hartford field office arrested Martinez on March 3, while he was at large in the community. He remains in ICE custody.

For more information on the case, click on this link.