July 1, 2009

CANADIAN MAN CHARGED FOR ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO U.S.

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Francois Martineau, 50, of Vancouver, British Columbia, was charged by Complaint in Burlington on June 24, 2009 with entering the United States after having been previously deported. At his initial appearance on June 24th in United States District Court, Martineau was ordered detained. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for July 9, 2009.

Court documents state that Martineau was arrested after entering the United States from Canada along the railroad tracks in Alburgh, Vermont. After being arrested, Martineau admitted that he had previously been deported and that he had neither applied for nor received permission to re-enter the United States.

If convicted, Martineau faces up to two years in prison. The Acting United States Attorney cautioned that the Complaint is merely a charging instrument, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being handled by United States Customs and Border Protection. The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney James J. Gelber. Martineau is represented by Alison Arms of the Federal Public Defenders.