Peruvian Convict Charged with Illegal Reentry After Multiple Deportations

Cesar Ruben Yllescas faces up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of unlawful reentry into the United States.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 9:12pm

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Cesar Ruben Yllescas, a 52-year-old Peruvian man with a lengthy criminal history, has been federally charged in Hartford, Connecticut with illegally reentering the United States after being deported twice before. Yllescas has a record of arrests, convictions, and sentences in Connecticut and Massachusetts for various offenses including drug crimes, threats, assault, and motor vehicle violations. He was most recently deported to Peru in 2020 but allegedly reentered the U.S. illegally, leading to his latest arrest by ICE.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges of curbing illegal immigration and repeat offenses by deportees, as well as the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to crack down on undocumented individuals with criminal histories through initiatives like Operation Take Back America.

The details

Yllescas was first deported to Peru in June 2016 after his arrests, convictions, and sentences in Connecticut and Massachusetts between 1995 and 2015 for a range of offenses. He later reentered the U.S. illegally and was convicted in federal court in 2019 of unlawful reentry, receiving a 10-month prison sentence. He was then deported again to Peru in May 2020, but allegedly entered the U.S. illegally once more. Yllescas was arrested on March 20, 2026 by police in West Springfield, Massachusetts on motor vehicle charges and an outstanding warrant, and was then taken into custody by ICE on March 23.

  • Yllescas was first deported to Peru in June 2016.
  • He was convicted in federal court in December 2019 of unlawful reentry and received a 10-month prison sentence.
  • Yllescas was deported again to Peru in May 2020.
  • He was arrested by police in West Springfield, Massachusetts on March 20, 2026.
  • Yllescas was taken into custody by ICE on March 23, 2026.

The players

Cesar Ruben Yllescas

A 52-year-old Peruvian man with a lengthy criminal history who has been arrested, convicted, and deported from the United States multiple times.

U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that arrested Yllescas and is handling his latest case of illegal reentry.

Operation Take Back America

A national movement using resources from the U.S. Justice Department to curb the flow of undocumented people into the country, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect American communities from violent criminals.

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What’s next

Yllescas will appear in federal court in Hartford, where prosecutors will determine if he is guilty of unlawful reentry. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of immigration enforcement and the need for comprehensive solutions to address repeat offenses by deportees with criminal histories. It also underscores the federal government's efforts to crack down on illegal immigration through initiatives like Operation Take Back America.