Israeli man pleads guilty to, sentenced on immigration charge

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Elazar Wigdorowitz, 33, a citizen of Israel, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to improper entry by an alien. He was then sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald, who handled the case, stated that in the early morning hours of January 08, 2026, during the secondary inspection of a vehicle at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry, officers noticed multiple pieces of luggage in the back of the vehicle. As an officer began removing the luggage, she noticed what appeared to be a person’s back. The remaining luggage was removed and officers discovered defendant Wigdorowitz. Subsequent investigation discovered that Wigdorowitz had obtained a visa in 2010, which was revoked in 2017 due to his criminal history in Israel. Wigdorowitz’s visa was then refused in 2023 because of his criminal history in Israel, which includes convictions for conspiracy to commit a felony, assault, extortion, threats, false imprisonment, and malicious damage to a vehicle. In addition, pending charges include receipt of an item by deceit, conspiracy to defraud, forgery with intent, use of a forged document, fabricating evidence, and obstruction of justice. On January 5, 2026, Wigdorowitz attempted to apply for Electronic System for Travel Authorization but was denied. Wigdorowitz stated to officers that he was in the back of the vehicle because he wanted to visit his rabbi’s grave in the United States.

This case 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.

The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.

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