Jorge Velazquez-Cordova Sentenced in Vermont

Jorge Velazquez-Cordova, 33, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Burlington for the federal crime of unlawfully reentering the United States after prior removal. The conviction stems from a violent domestic incident that first brought law enforcement to the Allendale Farm in Vergennes, Vermont, on September 21, 2021, where Velazquez-Cordova was found threatening household members with a large machete and accused of beating a woman unconscious.

Velazquez-Cordova had already been deported before, making his return a federal offense. U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss handed down a sentence of time served, acknowledging the time he has spent in custody since his federal arrest on October 6, 2021. From September 21 to October 6, 2021, he was held by the State of Vermont following the domestic assault arrest. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic assault in Vermont Superior Court in Addison County and served 6 to 7 days in jail on that charge.

The case was flagged for federal prosecution due to Velazquez-Cordova’s immigration status and criminal history. The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations led the investigation, coordinating with Vermont State Police after the initial domestic violence call. Authorities confirmed that the presence of a weapon and the severity of the assault elevated concerns, even though the state charge was ultimately reduced to a misdemeanor.

Velazquez-Cordova has remained in federal custody since October 6, 2021, under the watch of the United States Marshals Service. With the federal sentence now complete, custody will transfer to the Department of Homeland Security to initiate removal proceedings. Federal prosecutors did not seek additional prison time, citing the time already served and the pending deportation.

Defense was provided by Assistant Federal Defender David McColgin, who argued for leniency based on the defendant’s acceptance of responsibility and cooperation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest prosecuted the case, emphasizing the seriousness of illegal reentry, particularly when linked to a history of violent behavior. No victims were required to appear at the federal hearing, as the charge focused solely on immigration violations.

The outcome underscores the intersection of domestic violence and immigration enforcement in rural jurisdictions like Addison County. While Velazquez-Cordova avoids further prison time, his immediate future hinges on deportation—marking a rare resolution where a violent offender’s federal sentence ends not in incarceration, but in administrative removal.

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