Montreal Resident Charged With Alien Smuggling

The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont and the Swanton Sector, United States Border Patrol announce that Daniel Larmand, 52, a Montreal resident, appeared today in United States District Court in Burlington on a charge of alien smuggling. U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy released Larmand on conditions pending the next court hearing.

According to the criminal complaint that was filed in court today, Border Patrol agents, with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, witnessed a green, older model sport utility-type vehicle approach the United States border late in the afternoon on December 2. The vehicle stopped just north of the border and discharged a passenger, who then illegally walked across the border into the United States. Agents from the Champlain and Swanton Border Patrol Stations were dispatched to the area, in Alburgh, and within minutes located the illegal entrant, who turned out to be a Greek national.

Shortly after the alien was apprehended, the defendant Daniel Larmand appeared at the Alburgh Port-of-Entry seeking admission to the United States. Larmand was driving an older model green Chevy Blazer. He said that he was going to Rouses Point to look at a boat. After inspection, Larmand was permitted to enter the U.S.

Instead of going to Rouses Point, however, Larmand drove to the location where Border Patrol agents were still detaining the illegal alien. Agents questioned Larmand about his reasons for being in the area. During this encounter, the alien saw Larmand and identified him as the person who helped smuggle him into the United States. The Greek national reported that other persons had previously paid Larmand $1000 to smuggle him into this country.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge in the complaint is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

If convicted, Larmand faces up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.

The Swanton Sector Border Patrol is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont as well as New Hampshire and northeastern New York. The assistance of citizens is invaluable in helping the U.S. Border Patrol accomplish their border security mission and they welcome community members to help them keep our nation’s borders safe by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-689-3362.

For more on CBP’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.
Larmand is represented by Assistant Federal Defender David McColgin. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.