Burlington, Vermont – In a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration, a Canadian man and his Costa Rican wife have pleaded guilty to charges of entering the United States at a time and place other than designated by immigration authorities. Joshua Ian Fudge, 30, and Karen Melissa Rodriguez Valverde, 24, were sentenced to time-served after pleading guilty to the charges.
The incident occurred on June 12, 2025, when U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted two individuals with backpacks on “Pee Wee’s” bridge in Canaan, Vermont. The bridge is approximately 150 feet from the U.S./Canada border and is commonly used to illegally cross into the United States. Agents made contact with the individuals less than five minutes after the electronic surveillance alert.
Fudge and Rodriguez Valverde provided identification to Border Patrol agents that confirmed Fudge was a Canadian citizen and Rodriguez Valverde was a citizen of Costa Rica who was a lawful permanent resident of Canada. Following a review of immigration records for Fudge and Rodriguez Valverde, agents discovered that Fudge was previously deemed inadmissible and denied access to the United States on November 4, 2024, after he stated to agents during pre-entry questioning that he had previously traveled to New Jersey to work with Rodriguez Valverde’s father and had been paid for that work. Fudge did not possess an immigrant visa that allowed him to work in the United States.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Turner. Fudge was represented by Lisa Shelkrot, Esq., while Rodriguez Valverde is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the efforts of the United States Border Patrol and United States Customs and Border Protection.
Fudge and Rodriguez Valverde each faced a maximum prison term of 6 months. They were sentenced to time-served, reflecting the court’s assessment of their culpability and the nature of the offense. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration and protecting communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The initiative demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining national security.
Related Federal Cases
- Joshua Ian Fudge, Illegal Entry, Vermont 2025 · Pennsylvania
- Donald Ray Boles, Child Pornography Possession, Vermont 2017 · Indiana
- Quentin Suggs, Home Invasion, Vermont 2024 · New York
- Melvin Hill, Fentanyl Distribution and Possession, Vermont 2022 · Vermont
- Teresa Youngblut, Premeditated Murder, Vermont 2025 · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Immigration & Border Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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