Two Men Indicted in Transnational Human Smuggling and Money Laundering Scheme
Two men have been indicted in the District of Vermont for their alleged roles in a transnational human smuggling and money laundering conspiracy that moved foreign nationals from the U.S.-Canada border to New York City.
According to court documents unsealed this week, Francisco Antonio Luna Rosado, 27, a Dominican national, and Jesus Hernandez Ortiz, 37, of Puerto Rico, are charged with conspiring to smuggle foreign nationals from Mexico, Central America, and South America into the United States. The indictment alleges that the operation exploited the northern border, coordinating the illegal transport of migrants into northern Vermont.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
Prosecutors allege that Luna Rosado directed the smuggling operations from at least August 2022 through March 2024. The scheme reportedly involved migrants flying from their countries of origin to southern Canada. Once there, Luna Rosado allegedly used live cellular location sharing to guide the groups on foot across the border into Vermont.
Upon crossing the border, the operation utilized a sophisticated logistical network. The indictment claims Luna Rosado used an encrypted chat platform with approximately 70 members to coordinate with drivers, including Hernandez Ortiz. These drivers allegedly picked up the migrants in northern Vermont and transported them to New York City.
Authorities state that once the migrants arrived in New York City, they paid Luna Rosado in U.S. currency. Luna Rosado is accused of then depositing and withdrawing these funds through the U.S. financial system in amounts exceeding $10,000 to conceal the proceeds. Consequently, in addition to smuggling charges, Luna Rosado faces two counts of transactional money laundering.
Broader Context and Enforcement
This case is part of the ongoing efforts by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), a Department of Justice initiative established to combat high-impact human smuggling and trafficking by transnational criminal organizations. While southern border crossings often dominate headlines, this indictment highlights the persistent enforcement focus on the northern border, where smuggling networks attempt to exploit different routes to enter the United States.
Defense and Legal Standing
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Luna Rosado and Hernandez Ortiz face significant prison terms if convicted, but the final outcome will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the evidence presented and statutory sentencing factors.
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