DERBY LINE — John Acosta-Bermudez, a Colombian citizen with landed immigrant status in Canada, is being detained after trying to elude inspection at the port of entry in Derby Line.
According to the criminal complaint, immigration officials at the Route 5 Port-of-Entry in Derby Line observed a black vehicle enter the country Saturday morning on March 29. The car did not stop for inspection, but instead headed south on Interstate 91.
A Border Patrol agent followed and stopped the car on the highway. Acosta-Bermudez was driving, with an undocumented alien traveling with him.
Acosta-Bermudez has twice been deported from the United States following a New York robbery conviction, as well as a federal passport fraud conviction. As a deportee, he is not allowed to return to the United States without the advance permission of the Attorney General.
Acosta-Bermudez appeared in United States District Court in Burlington on Monday on a charge that he reentered the United State after having been deported.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy ordered that the defendant be detained pending his next hearing.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge against Acosta-Bermudez is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
If convicted, Acosta-Bermudez faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.
Acosta-Bermudez is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender David McColgin. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.
