Carmen Melari Ferrufino Perdomo, Alien Smuggling, Vermont 2018

Alien Smuggling Charge Rocks Vermont Community

A North Carolina woman has been charged with alien smuggling in a case that has sent shockwaves through the Vermont community.

Carmen Melari Ferrufino Perdomo, 28, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was released on conditions pending her next court hearing in early April after appearing in United States District Court in Burlington.

According to a criminal complaint filed today, on the early morning of March 18, 2018, Border Patrol officers noticed six people walking into the United States from Canada on Rainville Road, in Highgate, Vermont. Shortly after, a white SUV was observed travelling towards the border along Rainville Road, Border Patrol officers saw a white Ford SUV travelling south, away from the border, along Rainville Road. Border Patrol stopped the white SUV, which was driven by Ferrufino Perdomo.

The defendant was identified as having flown to Burlington, Vermont on March 17, 2018, and rented the white Ford, claiming it would be returned on March 18, 2018 in New York. The Mexican citizens admitted entering the United States that night.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge in the complaint is merely an accusation, and that Ferrufino Perdomo is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.

If convicted, Ferrufino Perdomo faces up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.

The Swanton Sector Border Patrol is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont as well as New Hampshire and northeastern New York. The assistance of citizens is invaluable in helping the U.S. Border Patrol accomplish their border security mission and they welcome community members to help them keep our nation’s borders safe by reporting suspicious activity at 1-800-689-3362.

Ferrufino Perdomo was represented at today’s hearing by Federal Public Defender Steven Barth. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Van de Graaf.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant Carmen Melari Ferrufino Perdomo was released on conditions pending her next court hearing in early April. The exact criminal charge is alien smuggling. The city and state involved are Burlington, Vermont. The exact date is March 18, 2018. The sentence or outcome is pending. The dollar amount of the fine is up to $250,000.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/north-carolina-woman-charged-alien-smuggling