Twice Deported Ecuadorian National Previously Convicted of Sex Abuse, Other Offenses, Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering U.S.

David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE RAUL MAITA, 55, a citizen of Ecuador, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to unlawful reentry of a removed alien.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 1996, Maita was granted status as a legal permanent resident in the United States following approval of an application based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen. In February 1998, Maita was convicted in Westchester County Court in New York of sexual abuse first degree involving sexual contact by forcible compulsion. The victim of the offense was nine years old. Maita was sentenced to five years of probation and was required to register as a sex offender. In November 2000, Maita was convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender. In August 2001, he was convicted of driving while intoxicated and for violating his probation stemming from his sexual abuse conviction. Maita's probation was revoked and he was sentenced to one year of incarceration. In October 2003, Maita was deported to Ecuador.

Maita illegally reentered the U.S. and, in November 2006, he was convicted in Westchester County Court of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. In April 2007, he was convicted in New York of failure to register as a sex offender. In April 2008, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Maita and, in October 2008, he was convicted in the Southern District of New York of unlawful reentry. In August 2009, Maita was again removed to Ecuador. He subsequently unlawfully reentered the U.S.

On September 20, 2025, Maita, who identified himself as "Jose P. Maita" and provided a false date of birth, was arrested by the Connecticut State Police in Southbury on chargesLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. of illegal operation of a motor vehicle without a license and illegal operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Maita was subsequently released on bond.

On November 4, 2025, the U.S. District Court in New Haven issued a criminal complaint charging Maita with unlawful reentry. Maita was located and arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations on March 18, 2026, in Waterbury. He has been detained since his arrest.

Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for July 2, at which time Maita faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.

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. Attorney 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.