Nikolas Kerest U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont – On May 20, 2025, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that two foreign nationals pleaded guilty to charges of illegal entry into the United States. Belvie Ikiela Lecka, 32, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ayse Gul Sakiner, 49, from Türkiye admitted to entering the country at a location not designated by immigration authorities. Another individual, Sajah Konateh, 51, from The Gambia, also appeared in federal court and faces similar charges.
Court records indicate that on May 19, 2025, around 11:45 p.m., the United States Border Patrol received an image showing three individuals—later identified as Ikiela Lecka, Sakiner, and Konateh—walking south toward a bike path near North Derby Road in Derby, Vermont. This location is close to the United States/Canada border. It was believed they had crossed into the U.S. illegally from Canada. Border Patrol agents found them hiding in dense vegetation nearby and arrested them. Records checks revealed none of them had legal status in the United States.
The three individuals appeared before United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford on May 20. Ikiela Lecka and Sakiner pleaded guilty and were sentenced to time served. Konateh pleaded not guilty and could face up to six months in prison.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigatory work of the United States Border Patrol.
Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Stendig is prosecuting the case. Mark Oettinger represents Ikiela Lecka; Devin McLaughlin represents Sakiner; Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls represents Konateh.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
