Guatemalan Harborer Gets Time Served, Deported

CONCORD, NH – A brazen attempt to bypass border security in northern New Hampshire has landed a Guatemalan man in ICE custody. Esdras Aaron Calel-Cumes, 30, was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante after pleading guilty to harboring an illegal alien, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced today. Calel-Cumes, already unlawfully residing in Massachusetts, now faces immediate deportation back to Guatemala.

The case unfolded on September 9, 2024, when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers detected Luis Felipe Xiloj-Ambrocio illegally crossing the border from Canada into Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Calel-Cumes allegedly traveled from Massachusetts specifically to pick up Xiloj-Ambrocio, intending to transport him further into the United States. Both men were apprehended while driving south on U.S. Route 3.

“Individuals who cross our borders illegally will be held accountable,” stated U.S. Attorney Creegan in a press release. “This case demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting our law enforcement partners along New Hampshire’s northern border. We will continue to bring federal prosecutions when appropriate to protect the integrity of our borders and the safety of our communities.” Xiloj-Ambrocio was charged with one count of illegal entry and has already been deported back to Guatemala.

Acting Patrol Agent in Charge William Laymon of the Beecher Falls, VT Border Patrol Station emphasized the ongoing vigilance of his team. “We will continue to vigorously patrol the New Hampshire/Canada border to interdict and investigate smuggling cases like this one,” Laymon said. “Illegal entry and alien smuggling are federal crimes, and we will seek criminal prosecution on those who commit them.”

The investigation was spearheaded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen handling the prosecution. This case is being touted as part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations. The operation leverages resources from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

While Calel-Cumes received a “time served” sentence, the real penalty is deportation. This case serves as a stark warning: facilitating illegal border crossings carries serious federal consequences. Grimy Times will continue to monitor border enforcement efforts and report on the ongoing struggle to secure the nation’s frontiers.