Luis Davis German Soriano, a 32-year-old from the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to time served—approximately 15 months—by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo for transporting illegal aliens. Following the sentencing, Soriano was handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who is managing the case, reported that on January 3, 2024, Soriano assisted co-defendant Silvestre German Andujar in transporting three individuals who were neither citizens nor nationals of the United States. Soriano traveled from New Jersey to Youngstown, NY, to meet Andujar and the others, who reached the area via a motorized raft vessel crossing the Niagara River from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada. Andujar maneuvered the vessel across the U.S.-Canada border.
U.S. Border Patrol Agents responded as Andujar and his companions disembarked, causing them to flee. Soriano was seen driving near the vessel's landing and was stopped by officers. Although he provided conflicting reasons for his travel, he was released initially. Soriano returned to the pick-up location, collected Andujar and the others, and drove them away in his van.
On January 4, 2024, Border Patrol Agents on the Niagara Scenic Parkway in Youngstown, NY, noticed Soriano driving with Andujar and the individuals on board. The agents intercepted the vehicle in Ransomville, NY, arresting Soriano and the passengers, followed by official immigration record checks.
Andujar has been previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Lewiston Police Department.
