A Colombian man, Jhader Augusto Uribe-Tobar, has been extradited from Canada to the United States and arraigned on charges related to the drowning of a pregnant Mexican woman in December 2023. The incident occurred as she attempted to illegally cross into the U.S. by wading through the Great Chazy River in Champlain, New York.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of Homeland Security Investigations' Buffalo Field Office, and Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia of the United States Border Patrol's Swanton Sector.
Uribe-Tobar, aged 36 and residing in Quebec, Canada, is accused of smuggling the woman, identified as A.V.-F., for $2,500. He allegedly instructed her to cross the river at night, leading to her death.
"This tragedy highlights the dangers of illegal migration and how, as alleged, smugglers deliberately put people in harm’s way for profit," said U.S. Attorney Carla Freedman. "By vigorously prosecuting human smuggling networks, we are deterring and reducing the number of dangerous crossings like the one that took the lives of this young woman and her unborn child."
HSI Buffalo Special Agent Erin Keegan emphasized their commitment to pursuing justice for victims exploited by smugglers: "We will not stand by as lives are tragically lost by the deception of human smugglers profiting off the vulnerability of migrants."
Border Patrol Chief Robert Garcia noted that effective border security relies on penalties for criminal actions: "The U.S. Border Patrol continues to enforce the laws of the United States, and this prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office demonstrates that those who violate the law will be held accountable."
The charges against Uribe-Tobar remain accusations until proven guilty. The complaint details how A.V-F.'s relative contacted Uribe-Tobar via TikTok after seeing his advertisement as a smuggler. After receiving payment confirmation on December 11, 2023, Uribe-Tobar guided A.V-F. near the border.
Communication between Uribe-Tobar and A.V-F.'s relative continued throughout that night as concerns grew over her whereabouts after crossing attempts were reported unsuccessful.
On December 12th, A.V-F.'s relative informed a Border Patrol agent about her disappearance near Great Chazy River; authorities found her body two days later.
Uribe-Tobar faces potential sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonment if convicted under applicable statutes evaluated alongside U.S Sentencing Guidelines among other factors during trial proceedings set before Senior District Judge David N Hurd Utica New York following initial detention order issued today Plattsburgh court appearance conducted earlier same day
The investigation involves collaboration between Department Homeland Security Homeland Security Investigations US Border Patrol with Assistant US Attorneys Katherine Kopita Carling Dunham handling prosecution duties supported international arrest extradition efforts coordinated Justice Office International Affairs
