Portuguese National Paulo Abelha Sentenced for Illegal Reentry

Portuguese national Paulo Abelha, 49, faced justice today as he pleaded guilty in United States District Court in Burlington, Vermont, for reentering the country following two deportations. Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Abelha to time served since his arrest in August last year.

Abelha, who arrived in the United States with his parents in 1971, was first deported to Portugal in 1994 after serving a prison sentence for violent felonies in Massachusetts. In July 2016, he was detected living in Fall River and deported again on August 16.

The Swanton Sector Office of the U.S. Border Patrol played a crucial role when Abelha attempted to reenter the country just days later. On August 19, local law enforcement received information that a man had crossed into the United States near Alburgh after being dropped off at the border. Abelha was apprehended with a backpack containing documentation showing his recent flight from Portugal.

Abelha’s illegal entry was a violation of U.S. immigration laws, as he did not enter through an official port-of-entry and is ineligible for return to the United States. The Swanton Sector Border Patrol relies heavily on community support in maintaining border security, urging citizens to report suspicious activity at 1-800-689-3362.

Abelha is represented by Assistant Federal Defender David McColgin, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples handling the prosecution. For more information on the CBP’s mission and border security efforts, visit their website.