A federal grand jury indicted Yasser Rivera-Reyes, a 42-year-old Cuban citizen with ties to Miami, Florida, on May 7 for allegedly reentering the United States illegally after being removed under an outstanding order of removal. Rivera-Reyes was apprehended by United States Border Patrol agents on April 24 in Derby, Vermont and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle.
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address unlawful border crossings and enforce immigration laws. Rivera-Reyes is accused of returning to the U.S. after a prior removal in 2017 while he was an inmate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
According to court records, Border Patrol agents responded to alerts about a possible border crossing from Canada around 10 p.m. on April 24 near a bike path in Derby. They encountered Rivera-Reyes wearing clothing and carrying a backpack similar to images obtained near the border. A search revealed documents indicating he had been living in Canada, including a Quebec driver’s license issued in September 2025 and receipts from Charlemagne, Quebec dated April 2026.
The indictment contains only allegations and Rivera-Reyes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. If convicted, he faces up to two years of imprisonment; sentencing would be determined by the District Court following advisory guidelines and statutory factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt said he commended "the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol." The prosecution is led by Special Assistant United States Attorney Craig Nolan; Rivera-Reyes is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
This case forms part of Operation Take Back America, described as "a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime." The U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont enforces federal laws and manages civil cases for the United States while partnering with agencies to boost public safety and safeguard civil rights through offices located in Burlington and Rutland, according to their official website.
