NJ Supreme Court To Rule On Ocean County Deportation Claim

A sex crime felon deported to Mexico after his 2005 conviction in Ocean County is the subject of a ruling expected Tuesday by the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Juan Pablo Santos was deported in 2008 in the aftermath of relations with a 14-year-old girl. Santos was convicted of endangering the welfare of a child.

He has filed a Post-Conviction Relief application that requires his testimony. Santos claims that law enforcement authorities never fully explained the ramifications of deportation.

The problem is that he is barred, by federal law, from re-entering the United States. The high court's decision will determine whether Santos can testify by phone.

Phone testimony has precedents in New Jersey, and two lower courts have ruled to admit it in the Santos case.

Prosecutors are arguing for reversal. They contend that Santos should be required to seek federal permission to re-enter the country before giving testimony.