Press Releases
ILLEGAL ALIEN SENTENCED FOR BEING A STOWAWAY ON A VESSEL
June 24, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDGAR RENTERIA VALLECILLA, age 50, a resident of Colombia, was sentenced in federal court today before U.S. District Court Judge Sarah S. Vance to approximately five (5) months imprisonment with credit for time served, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten. In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Vance ordered that the defendant be placed on two (2) years of supervised release following the term of imprisonment, during which time the defendant will be under federal supervision and risks an additional term of imprisonment should he violate any terms of his supervised release.
According to court documents, on March 18, 2009, VALLECILLA pled guilty to one count of an indictment admitting that he secreted himself aboard the motor vessel M/V B. Europa while docked in Venezuela without the consent of the owner, charterer, master and person in command of said vessel and remained aboard until the vessel entered St. James Parish.
The case was investigated by United States Customs and Border Protection. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U. S. Attorney Robert Weir.
