John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that BRANDEN HUERTAS, 37, formerly of Norwalk, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to escaping from custody.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on June 22, 2018, Huertas escaped from custody at the Chase Center in Waterbury.  Huertas had been confined to the Chase Center to complete a 60-month prison term for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for March 20, 2019, at which time Huertas faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Clark.

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport returned an indictment on July 2, 2018, charging BRANDEN HUERTAS, 36, formerly of Norwalk, with escape from the custody of the Bureau of Prisons.

According to the indictment, on or about June 22, 2018, HUERTAS escaped from the Chase Center in Waterbury.  HUERTAS had been confined to the Chase Center to complete his term of incarceration after being convicted in 2015 of unlawful possession of a firearm.

HUERTAS was arrested on July 18, 2018, and is currently detained.

If convicted, HUERTAS faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Durham stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Marshals Service.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Clark.