June 2, 2009

ILLEGAL ALIEN FROM NICARAGUA CONVICTED OF RE-ENTERING THE UNITED STATES AFTER DEPORTATION SENTENCED TO TIME SERVED

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Luis Alexis Morales-Cano, 33, of Nicaragua was sentenced to time-served (six weeks imprisonment) for illegally entering the United States after having been previously been deported. Judge William K. Sessions III also remanded Morales-Cano into the custody of the Department of Homeland Security where he is facing deportation proceedings.

According to Court records, on April 13, 2009, the Border Patrol stopped a suspicious vehicle with Quebec plates on Caswell Avenue in Derby, Vermont. The vehicle contained four individuals, including Morales-Cano. The driver of the vehicle, a Canadian citizen, stated that he was trying to bring Morales-Cano into Canada. Morales-Cano then admitted to illegally entering the United States three weeks prior by crossing the International Border with Mexico. Records indicate that Morales-Cano was previously deported from the United States on July 10, 2007 from New Jersey.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol from the Newport, Vermont Station. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella and the defendant is represented by Federal Public Defender Elizabeth Mann, Esq.