Five Arrested in Attempted Human Smuggling Event Near Morses Line

The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that five persons were arrested near Morses Line on October 9, 2022 in connection with what is believed to be an attempt to smuggle individuals without legal status into the United States.  Angel Hernandez-Pineda, 32, a Honduran national who has no immigration status in the United States, and Jhony Cantarero-Vasquez, 29, of Worcester, MA, appeared yesterday in United States District Court in Burlington on a charge that they attempted to transport individuals without legal status within the United States.  Federico Rincon-Ramirez, Leydi Rincon-Sosa, and Jairo Alberto Ortiz-Acevedo, who are all citizens of Mexico and without legal status in the United States, also appeared in court yesterday on charges that they unlawfully entered the country.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Doyle released Cantarero-Vasquez on conditions; ordered that Hernandez-Pineda be detained pending a further hearing on October 14; and ordered detention of the three individuals without legal status pending trial. 

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the criminal complaints are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.

The attempted transportation charge is punishable by up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.  The unlawful entry charge is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months of imprisonment.  The actual sentences would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.  

U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest credited the agents of the United States Border Patrol for their continued efforts to prevent the exploitation of foreign nationals by human smuggling organizations. 

Hernandez-Pineda is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Mary Nerino.  Cantarero-Vasquez is represented by John-Claude Charbonneau, Esq.  Rincon-Ramirez is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq. Rincon-Sosa is represented by Lisa Shelkrot, Esq. Ortiz-Acevedo is represented by Jordana Levine, Esq.  The prosecutor in this case is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.