Pennsylvania Man Admits Helping Illegal Alien Enter the United States

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Carlos Figueroa Rivas, age 58, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, pled guilty today to encouraging and inducing an illegal alien to enter the United States.

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

Figueroa Rivas admitted that on June 6, 2018, he drove from Montreal to a remote spot in Quebec along the border and dropped off an illegal alien from Guatemala named Mario Navarijo Orantes.  Figueroa Rivas intended to enter the United States alone while Navarijo Orantes walked across the border and avoided immigration inspection. 

After dropping off Navarijo Orantes, Figueroa Rivas drove to the Champlain Port of Entry and attempted to enter the United States alone driving a car registered to a third person.  CBP refused to admit the car that Figueroa Rivas was driving and he returned to Canada.  Border Patrol Agents arrested Navarijo Orantes in Rouses Point, New York, and determined that he intended to meet Figueroa Rivas.

Figueroa Rivas admitted that he intended to pick up Navarijo Orantes near Rouses Point and take him to Pennsylvania.   

Figueroa Rivas faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on February 6, 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.    

Navarijo Orantes, age 52, pled guilty to the felony offense of illegal re-entry of a removed alien and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17.      

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