Dominican Man Charged with Illegal Reentry

Burlington, Vermont - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on October 31, 2024 a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Luis Edison Capellan-Ortiz, 49, of the Dominican Republic, with illegally reentering the United States after being removed for the commission of an aggravated felony.

Capellan-Ortiz entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on November 8, 2024, before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. On October 21, 2024, at Capellan-Ortiz's initial appearance, Judge Doyle previously ordered that Capellan-Ortiz be detained during the pendency of this matter.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Capellan-Ortiz is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Capellan-Ortiz faces up to 20 years of imprisonment if convicted. 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 investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Gilman. Capellan-Ortiz is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara M. Puls.