Ecuadorian National Will Remain Detained After Being Unlawfully In U.S.
Friday, February 7, 2025, 6:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BURLINGTON, VT.- On Thursday, a 28-year-old Ecuadorian national residing illegally in the State of Vermont was ordered detained pending trial after entering a not-guilty plea on Wednesday to a federal indictment charging him with being unlawfully in the United States after previously being deported.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Alex Patin-Patin, 28, of Ecuador, residing illegally in South Burlington, Vermont, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont and pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle to being Unlawfully Present in the United States by a Previously Deported Alien.
During a detention hearing on Thursday, February 6, 2025, in Federal Court in Burlington, Vermont, Judge Doyle ordered Patin-Patin detained pending trial.
According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office
According to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Dresher and charing information unsealed in the indictment, it is alleged that Patin-Patin unlawfully entered the United States around February 2022 and was then removed from the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement Removal Operations in July 2022.
It is unknown where or when Patin-Patin reentered the United States, but in April 2024, Patin-Patin was arrested in South Burlington, Vermont, and charged by the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office with, among other charges, aggravated domestic assault. Due to Patin-Patin had not obtained permission or legal authorization to reenter the United States, he was in violation of federal law.
In October 2024, a federal grand jury for the District of Vermont returned an indictment charging Patin-Patin with the offense. At that time, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Court records indicate that Patin-Patin’s arrest earlier this week followed months of surveillance by authorities because he had been living at a different address other than required by conditions imposed on him by the Vermont Superior Court in connection with his state domestic assault charge.
Patin-Patin faces up to 24 months in federal prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted at trial. Upon completion of any imposed sentence, Patin-Patin will face immediate deportation proceedings.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
