Jhon Reina-Perez, Human Smuggling, Vermont 2023

Jhon Reina-Perez, 34, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was arraigned in the District of Vermont before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. He is charged in a three-count superseding indictment that alleges he and codefendants Simon Jacinto-Ramos and Victor Lopez-Padilla conspired to commit human-smuggling offenses and brought migrants without legal status to the United States for the purpose of private financial gain.

Reina-Perez was arrested in Elizabeth, New Jersey on September 19, 2023, and was seen for an initial appearance in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey before being transferred to the District of Vermont for further proceedings. He entered a plea of not guilty and was ordered to be detained pending further proceedings.

Lopez-Padilla had been arraigned in the District of Vermont on August 29, 2023, after he had likewise been transferred from the District of New Jersey. He is also detained pending further proceedings in the case.

Jacinto-Ramos has not yet been arrested in conjunction with the indictment. An arraignment will be scheduled after his arrest.

According to court records, Lopez-Padilla, Reina-Perez, and Jacinto-Ramos worked together to bring migrants to, and smuggle them into, the United States for their personal profit, while knowing that the migrants lacked legal status to enter and remain in the United States. The defendants arranged transportation for the smuggled migrants from the Montreal area to remote areas of the border between the United States and Canada, predominantly near Richford, Vermont. The defendants then arranged transportation for the migrants in the United States in furtherance of their illegal entry.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Reina-Perez remains presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted of a crime. Reina-Perez faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum sentence of 3 years if convicted as charged.

Defendant: Jhon Reina-Perez

Criminal Charges: Conspired to commit human-smuggling offenses and brought migrants without legal status to the United States for the purpose of private financial gain.

City and State: Burlington, Vermont

Arrest Date: September 19, 2023

Sentence: Detained pending further proceedings

Current Status: Detained

Defendant’s Attorney: Stephanie Greenlees, Esq.

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