New Jersey Man Sentenced to 14 Months of Imprisonment for Human Smuggling Conspiracy

Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Jose Alvarez, 31, of Trenton, New Jersey, was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment today in United States District Court by United States District Judge Christina Reiss. Alvarez previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport foreign nationals in furtherance of their illegal entry into the United States. Judge Reiss also ordered that Alvarez serve three years of supervised release after he serves his term of imprisonment. 

According to court records, at about 3:00 a.m. on September 25, 2022, Alvarez was arrested near East Berkshire, Vermont after he had picked up four Guatemalan citizens who had just entered the United States illegally. Three of the foreign nationals stated each expected to pay $2000 to $3000 to Alvarez or his associates as a fee to be smuggled into the United States. Alvarez admitted to soliciting others to engage in the transportation of foreign nationals and to coordinating payment and pick up logistics with other members of the conspiracy.  

U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest credited the agents of the United States Border Patrol for their investigation and apprehension of Alvarez and their continued efforts to prevent the exploitation of foreign nationals by human-smuggling organizations. 

This matter was investigated by the United States Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher was the prosecutor. Alvarez was represented by Michael Straub, Esq., of Burlington.