A Mexican national has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for human smuggling and unlawful possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia of the Swanton Sector.
"A citizen of Mexico illegally present in the U.S. was recently sentenced to 5 years in prison for human smuggling while in possession of a loaded handgun near Chateauguay, New York," said Garcia, according to X.
Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino responded, "Chief, I'm glad your agents were ok. The Swanton Sector is the busiest northern border sector with a prosecution rate similar to some Southwest Sectors. From the men and women of the El Centro Sector, well done!"
According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of New York, Rey Felix-Rubio, a 32-year-old Mexican citizen, was sentenced to five years in prison. The announcement was also made by the Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Attorneys Carla B. Freedman and Matthew Scarpino.
The news release stated that Felix-Rubio pled guilty to illegally entering America in 2021 and subsequently attempting to smuggle five Mexican nationals into the country for financial gain near the northern border in Chateauguay, New York in February 2023. A one-year term of supervised release following Felix-Rubio’s release from prison has also been imposed by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. A defendant’s sentence is determined by a judge based on the specific statute violated by the defendant, the U.S. sentencing guidelines, and other factors.
The news release further indicated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials will take custody of Felix-Rubio upon completion of his prison sentence to initiate deportation proceedings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Stitt prosecuted the case while HSI and Border Patrol Burke Station conducted investigations into the incident.
