ALBANY, NEW YORK - Wilder Arreola-Medel, age 45, and a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced today to time served (40 days in jail) for transporting a Mexican citizen who had illegally entered the United States.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.
Arreola-Medel pled guilty on Oct. 13, 2017. He admitted that on Sept. 17, 2017, along the international border near Chateaugay, New York, he picked up a Mexican citizen who had just crossed the border illegally from Canada. Arreola-Medel was driving the Mexican citizen away from the border area when he was stopped and arrested by Border Patrol Agents. Arreola-Medel admitted that he intended to transport the Mexican citizen to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the time of his crime, Arreola-Medel was also in the United States without authorization.
Following the sentencing, Arreola-Medel was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.
The smuggled Mexican citizen, Judith Hernandez-Daniel, age 39, was convicted of illegal entry, a misdemeanor, and sentenced on Oct. 3, 2017 to 20 days in prison.
This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
