A Mexican national has entered a guilty plea in a U.S. District Court in Bangor for making a false statement to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent. The individual, Felipe De Jesus Zavala Medel, 64, was involved in an incident that took place at the Coburn Gore port of entry in January 2025.
Court documents reveal that Zavala Medel attempted to cross from Canada into the United States by presenting a North Dakota driver's license under the name "Johny Joe Olivo" and additional identification documents. He falsely claimed to the CBP agent that he was born in Texas and also completed a Customs Declaration form with incorrect information. During further questioning, he acknowledged that he lacked any legal documentation to enter, reside, or work in the United States.
The potential consequences for Zavala Medel include a prison term of up to five years and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing will occur following a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will take into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations.
