Officials: Felon deported to Honduras found living in Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT — A felon illegally settled in the city after he was deported to his Central American home country, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.

Marlon Amaya-Lopez, also known as Elder Figueroa, 33, a Honduran citizen residing in Bridgeport, on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to illegally reentering the U.S. after being deported, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Amaya-Lopez had been arrested earlier that day on an indictment returned on May 11 charging him with the immigration offense, the office said.

Amaya-Lopez was convicted of attempted second-degree robbery in state Superior Court in Connecticut in April 2007, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Following his conviction, Amaya-Lopez was deported to Honduras but illegally reentered the U.S. and returned to Connecticut at some point, the office said.

Amaya-Lopez was ordered detained pending trial, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.

“The penalties in this matter are enhanced based on his prior conviction for a felony,” the office noted.