Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
A federal grand jury in Burlington, Vermont, has indicted Samuel Alfaro-Sanchez, a 31-year-old Mexican national, on charges of illegal reentry into the United States. The indictment alleges that Alfaro-Sanchez was found in the country on August 13, 2025, after having previously been removed.
Alfaro-Sanchez pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment held on August 28 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered Alfaro-Sanchez to remain detained while the case proceeds.
Court records show that Alfaro-Sanchez has entered the United States illegally several times over more than a decade. He voluntarily returned to Mexico in 2008 after being apprehended near Tucson, Arizona. In 2018, he was removed from the country twice—first near Paso Del Norte, Texas in March and then near Sasabe, Arizona in July. In 2019, he was again removed after being caught near El Paso, Texas. In September 2020, he was expelled twice following two separate apprehensions near Douglas, Arizona. Another expulsion occurred in 2021 after he was again apprehended near Douglas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that an indictment contains only allegations and that Alfaro-Sanchez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison; sentencing would be determined by the District Court with reference to federal guidelines and statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher stated: "I commend the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol."
Special Assistant United States Attorney Charles W. Kirkham is prosecuting the case. Assistant Federal Public Defender Emily Kenyon represents Alfaro-Sanchez.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated resources from programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
