Jose Ignacio De La Cruz De La Rosa, a/k/a, “Nacho,” Charged with Bringing Aliens to the United States and Producing Fraudulent Identity Documents

Burlington, Vermont - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on February 19, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Jose Ignacio De La Cruz De La Rosa, also known as "Nacho," 30, recently of Burlington, Vermont, and two other defendants whose identities remain sealed, with conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States, bringing aliens to the United States, conspiracy to produce identity documents, and producing fraudulent identity documents.

De La Cruz De La Rosa was arrested by federal agents this morning, and is scheduled to have an initial appearance and arraignment this afternoon before Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss. The United States has filed a motion seeking De La Cruz De La Rosa's detention pending trial.

According to court records, De La Cruz De La Rosa allegedly participated in a multi-year conspiracy to illegally bring aliens to the United States and to transport them within the United States in furtherance of their illegal entry. De La Cruz De La Rosa also allegedly participated in a multi-year conspiracy to produce identity documents. As a part of this alleged conspiracy, De La Cruz De La Rosa renewed Vermont driver's privilege cards for aliens living outside of Vermont and took learner's privilege tests on behalf of others. De La Cruz De La Rosa allegedly received $500 per card.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that De La Cruz De La Rosa is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. De La Cruz De La Rosa faces up to 15 years of imprisonment if convicted, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years. 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.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the United States Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations. "The nine-count indictment alleges that between November of 2022 and June of 2025, De La Cruz De La Rosa smuggled people across international borders and fraudulently obtained Vermont identification documents for people living outside Vermont," stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ophardt. "These are serious criminal offenses. I am grateful for the careful and thorough investigation conducted by our law enforcement partners."

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Joshua L. Banker. De La Cruz De La Rosa is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.