Swanton, Vt. – As a result of the arrest made by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Vermont, Jose Lorenzo Cardona-Paguada, 37, a Honduran national, was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Oct. 3. The conviction is on a violation of the Mann Act for knowingly transporting an individual in interstate commerce for the purposes of engaging in prostitution.

Cardona-Paguada was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Jan. 18, for illegally being present in the United States. Further database checks by Swanton Sector agents, assigned to the Richford Station, revealed that Cardona-Paguada was part of an ongoing interstate prostitution ring. An intensive joint investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection provided further relevant evidence which served to strengthen the case against Cardona-Paguada. As a result of this effective multi-agency partnership, Cardona-Paguada was successfully prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.

The U.S. Border Patrol will continue to work with their law enforcement partners and stakeholders at all levels to protect the border communities against all threats.

People who live, work or travel in border areas can report suspicious activity anonymously to the U.S. Border Patrol by calling (800) 689-3362.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.