Mexican Citizen Admits Transportation of Illegal Aliens

UTICA, NEW YORK – Laura Olguin Mercado, age 30, and a Mexican citizen living in Lafayette, Indiana, pled guilty today to transporting illegal aliens within the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

As part of her plea, Olguin Mercado admitted that on June 22, 2018 she drove to a remote spot along the Canadian border in northern Vermont and picked up three illegal aliens from Mexico who were waiting there.  After picking them up, Olguin Mercado drove west and south away from the border until she reached Interstate 87 and proceeded south.  As she drove south on Interstate 87 with her passengers, Olguin Mercado was required to stop at the Border Patrol checkpoint near North Hudson, New York.  Border Patrol determined that three passengers in Olguin Mercado’s car were illegal aliens who had just illegally crossed the border into the United States from Canada.  Olguin Mercado admitted that she knew the people she picked up and transported had illegally entered the United States from Canada.  Olguin Mercado admitted that she intended to drive the three people to Indiana.      

As a result of her conviction, Olguin Mercado faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when she is sentenced by United States District Judge David N. Hurd on April 11, 2019.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.    

This case was investigated by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.