Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont has announced charges against three Chilean nationals related to immigration offenses. Jose Quezada-Villena, 30, and Kevin Bernal-Fuentes, 25, are accused of transporting Jeanne Marie Medel-Garay, 46, who entered the United States illegally from Canada without passing through a port of entry.
Court documents reveal that on May 27, 2025, the United States Border Patrol was alerted by a landowner near the U.S./Canada border about a woman crossing into the U.S. at Derby Line, Vermont. She was picked up by a silver Nissan Rogue. A Border Patrol agent observed the vehicle driving erratically and conducted a traffic stop. Inside were two men identified as Quezada-Villena and Bernal-Fuentes in the front seats and Medel-Garay in the back seat. Immigration records showed none had permission to be in the U.S. During an interview after their arrest, Bernal-Fuentes admitted they traveled from Long Island, New York to Vermont to transport someone within the country.
On May 29, United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Medel-Garay detained pending prosecution. On May 30 and June 2, he released Quezada-Villena and Bernal-Fuentes on conditions pending trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office noted that these are allegations only and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, Quezada-Villena and Bernal-Fuentes could face up to five years’ incarceration; Medel-Garay could face up to six months if convicted.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol.
Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Arra is prosecuting this case. Representation includes the Office of the Federal Public Defender for Quezada-Villena; Allan Sullivan for Bernal-Fuentes; and Robert Behrens for Medel-Garay.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations using resources from various Department of Justice initiatives.
