Date: 05-31-2018

Case Style:

Case Number: 2:16-cr-00069-cr

Judge: Christina Reiss

Court: United States District Court for the District of Vermont (Chittenden County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Kevin Doyle and Ab igail Averbach

Defendant's Attorney: Steven L. Barth, AFPD

Description: Burlington, VT - Bronx Man Sentenced to Three Years Imprisonment Following Alien Smuggling Trial

Denny Reyes, 28, of Bronx, New York, was sentenced on May 29, 2018, in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, to serve concurrent terms of thirty-six and ten months in federal prison after his conviction at trial for Aiding and Abetting Alien Smuggling for Financial Gain and the Unlawful Transportation of Illegal Aliens within the United States. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss also ordered Reyes to serve a two-year period of supervised release following his prison term, and to pay a $200 special assessment.

According to court records and proceedings, on February 6, 2015, federal and state law enforcement agents surveilled Reyes as he drove from New York City to Highgate Springs, Vermont. Shortly after midnight on February 7, law enforcement followed Reyes as he drove to the top of Highgate Springs, on a road that ends at the border between the U.S. and Canada. There, waiting law enforcement agents watched as Reyes sat in his parked car, poised to act as the paid get-away driver for three illegal aliens whom law enforcement had just observed walking across the border from Canada and into the U.S. with the help of a foot guide. As soon as the three illegal aliens ran for Reyes’ car, law enforcement announced their presence and attempted to make apprehensions. The foot guide evaded law enforcement and absconded back to Canada on foot. Reyes and the three illegal aliens were arrested shortly after they also attempted to flee the area, in Reyes’ car. Reyes thereafter exercised his right to proceed to trial. On December 21, 2017, a jury returned a verdict of guilty as to both of the crimes charged against him.

United States Attorney Christina Nolan commended the efforts of the Border Patrol and its state and federal partners for their cooperation and success in maintaining the integrity of our northern border.

“Swanton Sector appreciates the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Burlington in their diligent prosecution of this case. When criminals face a real consequence, it acts as a deterrent to those who would break the law,” said U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector Acting Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Bradley Curtis, “This case is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when using the whole-of-government approach.”

The United States was represented in this matter by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Doyle, Criminal Chief Eugenia Cowles, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Abigail Averbach. Denny Reyes was represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender. The case was jointly investigated by members of the U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection; Vermont State Police; and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Outcome: Defendant was sentenced to serve concurrent terms of thirty-six and ten months in federal prison.

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Defendant's Experts:

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