United States of America v. Tyshan Murray

Burlington, Vermont, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with bringing in and harboring aliens.

By Kent Morlan

on September 8, 2024, nine citizens of Ireland had illegally crossed into the United States in the vicinity of Drew Road in Richford, Vermont. Tyshan Murray, 44, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, picked up the five adults and four children near the U.S.-Canada border. U. S. Border Patrol Agents had been alerted to an unlawful crossing in the area, responded to investigate, and stopped Murray’s SUV in the vicinity of the unlawful crossing. During the traffic stop, a Border Patrol Agent observed three adults and three young children in the rear seats, and two additional young children in the rear cargo compartment sitting on luggage.

At sentencing, the government requested a 33-month sentence, noting Murray’s reckless endangerment of the unrestrained children and his extensive criminal history, which includes multiple previous sentences of incarceration.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol. He added: “The smuggling of aliens across our northern border creates significant national security risks and endangers the lives of the people unlawfully entering our country. Those like Tyshan Murray, who reap illicit profit from alien smuggling, should receive significant punishment.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Gilman. Murray was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Barclay Johnson.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 18 months with credit for time served, followed by 3 years S/R, fines and JVTA assessment waived, $100 S/A imposed