Venezuelan Man Sentenced to 24 Months for Being in the United States Illegally After Having Been Previously Removed by Immigration Officials

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on August 29, 2025, Jorge Humberto Moreno Martinez, 34, of Venezuela, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of 24 months' imprisonment. Moreno previously pleaded guilty to being in the United States illegally after having been previously removed by Immigration Officials.

According to court records, Moreno was previously removed from the United States by immigration officials on November 15, 2016, after he completed a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence following his New York felony conviction for burglary in the second degree. At that time, Moreno was advised and acknowledged that due to his criminal history he was prohibited from entering or attempting to enter the United States. Despite that warning, Moreno re-entered the United States and his presence in the country thereafter was in violation of U.S. law.

Court records also state that when agents from the Department of Homeland Security attempted to arrest Moreno at a parking lot in Williston, Vermont, on January 27, 2025, Moreno fled in a vehicle, hitting three law enforcement vehicles before travelling at more than 100 miles per hour on a busy street before he was apprehended. As he drove, items were discarded from Moreno's vehicle. Law enforcement recovered some of those items, which tested presumptively positive for cocaine base and cocaine. In his plea agreement, Moreno admitted to possessing the cocaine and cocaine base with the intent to distribute them.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Department of Homeland Security, including its Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI"), Enforcement and Removal Operations ("ERO"), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP") divisions, with assistance from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA").

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman. Moreno was represented by Brooks G. McArthur, Esq.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).