WORCESTER – A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Worcester to human smuggling charges.
The judge set July 13 for sentencing of Fagner Chaves De Lima, 41, of East Hartford, on an attempted human smuggling charge.
According to federal prosecutors, De Lima engaged in a conspiracy to smuggle individuals illegally from Brazil into the United States for a fee. Those engaged in the conspiracy made travel arrangements for clients to enter the United States illegally by plane or bus, and arranged lodging accommodations.
Prosecutors say De Lima also extorted clients during their journey, demanding additional funds under threat of violence to them or their family.
In May and June 2022, an undercover agent contacted De Lima and claimed he was seeking to have his sister smuggled into the United States. The agent offered a fee of $15,000. De Lima allegedly told the agent that he had been engaged in this work for over 20 years and would smuggle individuals with or without a visa or criminal record.
De Lima was arrested June 16 after travelling to Worcester and accepting the $15,000 payment. He also requested the sister’s passport and Social Security number.
The charge of conspiracy to commit human smuggling provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.
