Venezuelan Man Charged with Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm After Driving Motorcycle Across Border in Derby Line, Vermont

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office stated that Julio Cesar Romero-Paredes, 46, of Venezuela, has been charged by criminal complaint with unlawfully possessing a firearm as an individual illegally present in the United States, and illegal reentry into the United States after having previously departed while under an order of removal.

Romero-Paredes's initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle has not been scheduled at this time.

According to court records, on November 7, 2024, at approximately 12:50 a.m., the driver of a distinctive motorcycle illegally entered the United States by driving around barriers placed near the Haskell Library in Derby Line, Vermont. Customs and Border Protection Officers stationed at nearby ports of entry assisted in locating the motorcycle, which entered onto Interstate 91 and was headed southbound. CBP Officers located the vehicle near Exit 28 on Interstate 91, and performed a traffic stop. The motorcycle, which bore a Georgia registration, was being operated by Romero-Paredes. Romero-Paredes was taken into custody by CBP Officers. An inventory search of Romero-Paredes's motorcycle, including the bags affixed to the motorcycle, revealed a fully loaded Walther Model P22 .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol (with one round in the chamber), five additional magazines containing approximately 50 rounds of .22 caliber ammo, two Glock magazines with approximately 30 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and a suspected suppressor that threaded onto the barrel of the Walther pistol. Agents also located in the bags affixed to the motorcycle several handcuff keys, multiple knives, a collapsible steel baton, zip ties, and cell phones. Immigration records revealed that Romero-Paredes had initially entered the United States in 2005 with a visitor's visa. Romero-Paredes was ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge on or about March 18, 2022, in Dallas, Texas.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Romero-Paredes is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Romero-Paredes faces up to 15 years of imprisonment if convicted of the firearm charge, and up to 2 years of imprisonment if convicted of the immigration charge. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the efforts of Customs and Border Protection to quickly apprehend Romero-Paredes, and the investigatory assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Cate. Romero-Paredes has not yet been appointed or retained counsel.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.