Dominican Man Sentenced for Being in the United States Illegally After Having Been Previously Removed by Immigration Officials

Rutland, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on April 29, 2025, Luis Edison Capellan-Ortiz, 49, of the Dominican Republic was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to time served. The defendant, who had been detained since his arrest on October 20, 2024, previously pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after having been removed.

According to court records, Capellan-Ortiz unlawfully entered the United States by walking across the United States-Canada border on October 20, 2024 in the area of Jay, Vermont, where United States Border Patrol agents encountered and arrested him. Border Patrol agents discovered that Capellan-Ortiz had previously been ordered removed by a United States Immigration Judge in May 2023. Capellan-Ortiz had been removed to the Dominican Republic that same month. Because Capellan-Ortiz had not obtained permission to re-enter the United States, his presence in the country was in violation of U.S. law.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the U.S. Border Patrol.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman. Capellan-Ortiz was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara M. Puls.