Guatemalan Man Sentenced for Harboring an Illegal Alien Who Crossed from Canada into the United States

CONCORD – A Guatemalan national was sentenced for bringing in and harboring an illegal alien, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.

Esdras Aaron Calel-Cumes, 30, a Guatemalan man unlawfully residing in Massachusetts, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante to time served.  Calel-Cumes is in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for deportation to Guatemala.  Calel-Cumes’ co-defendant Xiloj-Ambrocio was charged with one count of illegal entry and deported back to Guatemala.

“Individuals who cross our borders illegally will be held accountable. This case demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our law enforcement partners along New Hampshire’s northern border,” said U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan. “We will continue to bring federal prosecutions when appropriate to protect the integrity of our borders and the safety of our communities.”

“We will continue to vigorously patrol the New Hampshire/Canada border to interdict and investigate smuggling cases like this one,” said Acting Patrol Agent in Charge William Laymon of the Beecher Falls, VT Border Patrol Station. “Illegal entry and alien smuggling are federal crimes, and we will seek criminal prosecution on those who commit them.”

On September 9, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected Calel-Cumes’ co-defendant, Luis Felipe Xiloj-Ambrocio, crossing illegally from Canada to the United States in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Calel-Cumes traveled from Massachusetts to pick up Xiloj-Ambrocio. At the time of their apprehension by law enforcement, Calel-Cumes and Xiloj-Ambrocio were driving south on U.S. Route 3.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen prosecuted the case.

This effort is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

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