Marcos Ismalej Ixpancoc, Illegally Reentering U.S. and Making False Statements, Connecticut 2023

A 39-year-old Guatemalan national, Marcos Ismalej Ixpancoc, also known as Marcos Hernandez Lopez and Jose Ernandez, has been charged with illegally reentering the United States and making false statements on applications for immigration benefits.

According to a complaint filed in the District of Connecticut, Ixpancoc was arrested today and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was ordered detained.

As alleged in court documents, Ixpancoc was first apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona in October 2006. He identified himself as Marcos Hernandez Lopez and claimed to be a citizen of Mexico, and was issued a voluntary return to Mexico.

He was again apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol in Texas in August 2012 and identified himself as Jose Ernandez, claiming to be a citizen of Guatemala. He was removed to Guatemala in September 2012.

In June 2023, Ixpancoc submitted applications for legal permanent residency and work authorization under his true name, listing a home address in Stamford, Connecticut. The fingerprints collected in connection with those applications matched those collected when he was apprehended and removed under the names Marcos Hernandez Lopez and Jose Ernandez in 2006 and 2012.

It is further alleged that Ixpancoc falsely denied ever using any names other than Ixpancoc, falsely denied ever having been issued a final order of removal, and falsely denied ever having been removed from the U.S. In addition, in connection with his application for legal permanent residency, Ixpancoc submitted a petition under the Violence Against Women Act claiming that he was the victim of abuse by a U.S. citizen spouse or child, and that his abuser was his son.

Defendant's Name: Marcos Ismalej Ixpancoc

Criminal Charges: Illegally Reentering U.S. (18 U.S.C. § 1326) and Making False Statements on Applications for Immigration Benefits (18 U.S.C. § 1546(a))

City and State: Stamford, Connecticut

Exact Date: June 2023 (arrest and complaint filed)

Sentence or Outcome: Currently detained, awaiting trial. If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Ixpancoc faces a maximum term of imprisonment of two years. If convicted of the charge of making false statements on applications for immigration benefits, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ct/pr/guatemalan-national-charged-illegally-reentering-us-and-making-false-statements