CHAMPLAIN: United States Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Champlain Port of Entry arrested two individuals over the holidays after attempting entry into the U.S. as passport imposters.
“An individual is considered an imposter when they present a travel document that does not belong to them and attempt entry into the U.S.,” said Paul Mongillo, CBP Port Director for the Port of Champlain. “Our officers are expertly trained in detecting this type of fraud.”
On December 24, CBP officers encountered Jose Luis Aragon Ruis, a 35-year-old male, Guatemalan citizen, attempted entry into the U.S. with a United Kingdom passport bearing a different photo and name.
On December 31, CBP officers encountered Sire Betete, a 48-year-old female, Canadian citizen, who attempted entry into the U.S. with a Canadian passport bearing a different photo and name.
CBP officers apprehended and arrested both individuals using observational and interview methods, along with biometric verification.
Each violator was presented before a U.S. federal magistrate, charged with misuse of a passport, and remanded pending a detention hearing scheduled for later in January.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
