Honduran National Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that YOVANI DE JESUS ALVAREZ MURILLO, 42, a citizen of Honduras, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with illegal reentry of a removed alien.

The criminal complaint alleges that Alvarez was first encountered in the U.S. in February 2005 when he was arrested by the New York State Police in Tarrytown, New York, and charged with driving while ability impaired by the consumption of alcohol. In August 2008, Greenwich (Conn.) Police arrested Alvarez, under the name "Geovany Alvares-Murillo," on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol. In December 2008, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the names "Geovany Alvarez-Murillo" and "Geovany Alvares-Murillo," for two counts of failure to appear in the second degree. In November 2009, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name "Geovany Alvares-Murillo," on a charge of larceny in the third degree. In December 2011, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name "Geovany Alvares," on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs/alcohol. In June 2012, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name "Geovany Alvares-Murillo," on a charge of failure to appear in the first degree. In October 2012, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, under the name Geovany Alvares-Murillo, on a charge of forgery in the second degree. Alvarez was convicted of, and sentenced for, these offenses.

The complaint further alleges that, in October 2012, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interviewed Alvarez while he was serving a sentence in the custody of Connecticut Department of Correction. During the interview, Alvarez admitted that had illegally entered the U.S. in approximately 2002 by crossing the border from Mexico. Alvarez was removed to Honduras in October 2013.

The complaint further alleges that, Alvarez illegally reentered the U.S. and, in August 2021, under the name "Geovany Alvares-Murillo," was arrested by Stamford Police on a charge of breach of peace in the second degree. He was convicted of the offense and ordered to pay a $150 fine. In May 2023, Alvarez, under the name "Geovany Alvares Murillo," was arrested by Stamford Police on a charge of criminal trespass in the third degree. He was convicted of the offense and was ordered to pay a $300 fine.

The complaint further alleges that, in November 2024, Connecticut State Police arrested Alvarez, under the name "Geovanny Alvares," on a charge of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. In August 2025, Stamford Police arrested Alvarez, also under the name "Geovanny Alvares," for operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device (breathalyzer). Alvarez was convicted of these offenses on May 14, 2026, in Stamford Superior Court. He served a 60-day state sentence and was transferred to ICE custody today.

Alvarez appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven and was ordered detained.

If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Alvarez faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that 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.

This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael S. Deel and Neeraj N. Patel.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.