Repeat Offender Escobar-Vargas Gets Time Served for Border Hop

SYRACUSE, NY – Jardel Florencio Escobar-Vargas, 27, a citizen of Honduras, walked out of a federal courtroom having served 54 days for a crime he’s apparently perfected: illegally slipping back into the United States. The sentence, handed down today, feels light considering his history, but it’s the Department of Homeland Security that will ultimately deal with the repeat offender.

United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer of the Swanton Sector Border Patrol announced the sentencing, a formality given the defendant’s plea. Escobar-Vargas admitted to the charge – knowingly returning to the U.S. after being previously deported. This wasn’t a first offense, not even close.

Records show Escobar-Vargas was ejected from the United States five times between September 20, 2013, and August 25, 2014, each time back to his native Honduras. Despite these removals, he continued to attempt entry. Since his last deportation, he’d established a base in Miami, Florida, before trying his luck again in the frigid north.

Border Patrol agents caught up with Escobar-Vargas on March 15, 2017, in Champlain, New York, a common crossing point near the Canadian border. He wasn’t attempting a solo trek; agents found him riding in a taxi that had been flagged down on a road just south of the border. The details of how he made it that far are, unsurprisingly, not being released.

While the 54 days in jail are over, Escobar-Vargas’ legal troubles are far from it. Following the sentencing, he was immediately handed over to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security. Expect swift removal proceedings – this time, hopefully, it sticks. The Border Patrol isn’t known for its patience with persistent re-entries.

The case was investigated by the dedicated agents of the United States Border Patrol, and Assistant United States Attorney Edward P. Grogan skillfully prosecuted the matter. It’s a revolving door case, to be sure, but a conviction nonetheless. Whether it will deter Escobar-Vargas or others remains to be seen. Grimy Times will continue to follow this story.