Nikolas Kerest U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Two individuals from Haiti were arrested in Vermont on May 13, 2025, as reported by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. Emmanuel Pierre Andre Irene, aged 26, and Erika Brezault, aged 23, were apprehended by the United States Border Patrol in Troy, Vermont. Irene was charged with illegal entry into the United States, while Brezault faced charges for aiding his illegal entry.
Both appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on May 14, 2025. Judge Doyle ordered Brezault's release under pretrial supervision conditions pending further proceedings. He accepted Irene's guilty plea to illegal entry and sentenced him to time served.
Court records reveal that around 1:00 am on May 13, an individual was seen walking south in Canada towards the U.S. border. Later at approximately 3:30 am, another individual was spotted walking south within the U.S., near Mud Creek close to North Troy village. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents responded and located a Massachusetts-plated vehicle on Bear Mountain Road around 9:23 am with two occupants identified as Brezault and Irene.
The pair claimed Haitian origin and residence in Worcester, Massachusetts. They stated they had Temporary Protected Status in the U.S., but after being confronted with evidence of Irene’s wet clothing and surveillance images showing him crossing from Canada into the U.S., both admitted their actions.
The United States Attorney’s Office highlighted that these are only allegations against Brezault who is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, she could face up to five years imprisonment; however, sentencing would follow guidelines from advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigative work of both U.S. Border Patrol and HSI agents involved in this case.
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Lasher is prosecuting this case while Assistant Federal Public Defender Emily Kenyon represents Brezault; Karen Shingler Esq., represented Irene.
This incident is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations through resources from various Department of Justice initiatives like Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
