Senegalese Man Sentenced to 17 Months for Unlawfully Reentering the United States After a Prior Removal

BURLINGTON - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on September 8, 2026, Alassane Sow, 34, of Senegal, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a time-served sentence, which equates to approximately 17 months of imprisonment. Sow previously pleaded guilty to unlawfully reentering the United States after having been previously removed.

According to court records, Sow moved from Senegal to Columbus, Ohio in 2014, eventually becoming a lawful permanent resident. While living in Ohio, Sow was arrested and convicted of multiple criminal offenses, including felony attempted vehicular assault in 2017, misdemeanor driving while impaired in 2018, felony theft in 2019, and felony receipt of stolen property in 2020. In 2023, while incarcerated in Ohio, Sow received a notice to appear for removal proceedings. Sow was subsequently removed on October 16, 2024. On April 13, 2025, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Sow crossed the international border between the United States and Canada near Holland, Vermont. Sow's unlawful crossing was detected by U.S. Border Patrol sensors, and Sow was apprehended shortly thereafter by U.S. Border Patrol Agents.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt stated: "I am extremely grateful for the hard work and diligence of our Border Patrol Agents on the northern border. Their efforts ensure that those seeking to evade inspection at our ports of entry are swiftly detained. Due to these dedicated men and women, a man with a concerning criminal history was apprehended before he could proceed further into the United States."

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nate Burris and Matthew Greer. Sow was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Emily Kenyon.

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.