Jose Rodriguez Barajas, a 40-year-old citizen of Mexico, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and three counts of alien smuggling in federal court in Albany, New York. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector.
According to authorities, Rodriguez Barajas admitted that on March 14, 2025, he assisted three individuals who had entered the United States illegally from Canada by hiding in the woods near the border. He acknowledged that he expected payment for helping these individuals cross into the country and for transporting them further into the United States.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “Rodriguez Barajas—an illegal alien from Mexico—thumbed his nose at our laws, snuck into our country and conspired to sneak more aliens through our Northern Border for his own profit. This administration, unlike past administrations, is committed to fully enforcing the immigration laws of this country. If you smuggle aliens through our Northern Border, you will be caught, you will be prosecuted, and you will be deported.”
Swanton Sector Border Patrol Chief Robert N. Garcia added, "Jose Rodriguez Barajas' blatant disregard for U.S. immigration law, ranging from his illegal entry into the country to his involvement in smuggling others, poses a significant threat to our national security and the safety of our communities. Swanton Sector Border Patrol remains unwavering in its commitment to disrupting and dismantling criminal networks that exploit our immigration system. We commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their invaluable partnership in ensuring those who violate our laws are held accountable."
Rodriguez Barajas is scheduled for sentencing on December 23, 2025. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and could receive up to fifteen years if convicted under federal statutes governing alien smuggling offenses.
The case was investigated by Border Patrol agents and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt.
