Hogansburg man accused of trying to smuggle two Romanians into the U.S.

By Andy Gardner

HOGANSBURG – A Hogansburg resident was arrested Feb. 17 in connection with an alleged failed smuggling incident.

Kyle Thompson, 28, of Hogansburg, was charged with alien smuggling. The recent announcement of the arrest came from Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Robert N. Garcia, chief patrol agent for United States Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector.

Federal authorities allege that Thompson was arrested while transporting two illegal aliens who had illegally crossed into the United States via the St. Lawrence River near Hogansburg.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police attempted to stop Thompson’s vehicle as he fled with the occupants in his vehicle, according to the Department of Justice.

Thompson reportedly drove his vehicle into a snowbank and was ultimately apprehended. There were no injuries to Thompson or the occupants, federal authorities said. Border Patrol Agents from the Massena Border Patrol Station detained Thompson and the two occupants.

Thompson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro on Feb. 18 and was ordered detained, prosecutors said. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

The two occupants of the vehicle were Romanian citizens and illegally present in the United States, prosecutors said. Both were arrested by Border Patrol and are being prosecuted for illegal entry, a misdemeanor.

This case is being investigated by United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt.