Swanton, Vt. – As a result of the U.S. Border Patrol agents in Vermont working with their federal, local and state law enforcement agencies, a United States Citizen (USC), wanted on a federal warrant for an Alien Smuggling charge, was arrested in New York City on Oct. 11, by members of the New York Police Department assigned to the U.S. Marshals Task Force.

Massena Border Patrol agents initially arrested New York resident Raphael De Jesus, 37, for transporting a national of the Dominican Republic illegally present in the United States on July 14. De Jesus was issued a summons to appear for the alien smuggling violation, which he did not comply with and on Aug. 9, an arrest warrant for De Jesus was issued by a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

On the morning of Oct. 11, the Swanton Sector Intelligence Unit provided information on De Jesus to the U.S. Marshals Task Force which assisted in the location and ultimate arrest of De Jesus at an apartment in New York City. Subsequently, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) assisted the Swanton Sector agent assigned to the New York State Intelligence Center (NYSIC) Task Force with presenting evidence before a Grand Jury that resulted in successfully indicting De Jesus that afternoon.

De Jesus is currently in federal court proceedings. A conviction for Alien Smuggling can result in up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

This arrest was a joint effort by CBP’s Border Patrol agents in Swanton Sector, U.S. Marshal Office, New York Police Department, NYSIC, HSI and the United States Attorney’s Office in New York.

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.