Jorge Humberto Moreno Martinez, a 34-year-old Venezuelan national, has been charged with being unlawfully present in the United States after having previously been removed by immigration officials. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced the charges.
On January 28, 2025, Moreno appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Moreno be detained while the case is pending.
Court records reveal that Moreno was deported from the United States on November 15, 2016, following a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a felony burglary conviction in New York. At that time, he was informed and acknowledged that his criminal history barred him from re-entering or attempting to enter the U.S. Despite this warning, Moreno returned to the country, violating U.S. law.
The court documents further state that when Department of Homeland Security agents attempted to arrest Moreno in Williston, Vermont on January 27, 2025, he fled in a vehicle. During his escape attempt, he collided with three law enforcement vehicles and drove at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour on a busy street before being apprehended. Items discarded from his vehicle were recovered by law enforcement and tested presumptively positive for cocaine base and cocaine.
The United States Attorney’s Office highlighted that these are allegations only and emphasized that Moreno is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison. The actual sentence would be determined by the District Court based on advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory sentencing factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigatory efforts of various divisions within the Department of Homeland Security including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), along with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Assistant United States Attorney Colin Owyang is prosecuting the case while Brooks McArthur represents Moreno.
