New Jersey Man Admits Encouraging and Inducing Illegal Entry

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Patricio Murillo Sandoval, age 40, of Newark, New Jersey, pled guilty yesterday to encouraging and inducing an alien to illegally enter the United States. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Steve Bronson, Area Port Director, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

As part of his guilty plea, Murillo Sandoval, a U.S. citizen, admitted that he attempted to enter the United States with Wendy Fletcher Alvarez, a citizen of Ecuador and Spain, on September 17, 2017 at the Niagara Falls Port of Entry, New York.  She was denied admission, and CBP officers explained to both Sandaval and Alvarez that she could not enter the United States without obtaining permission.  Murillo-Sandoval also admitted that on September 19, 2017, he dropped off Alvarez at a remote location so that she could walk across the border and avoid immigration inspection.  He planned to pick her up and take her to New Jersey, but when he attempted to enter the United States at the Mooers Port of Entry, he was referred for further inspection leading to the discovery that he planned to pick her up.    

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino is scheduled to sentence Murillo Sandoval on May 3, 2018.  He faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute to defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing guidelines and other factors. 

The smuggled alien, Fletcher Alvarez, age 40, of Ecuador, was sentenced on October 5, 2017 to 25 days in jail. 

This case was investigated by the CBP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.