U.S. Border Patrol agents say a border sensor was triggered late September 19 near Neche.<\/p>\n
The incident eventually led agents to stop a vehicle early September 20.<\/p>\n
Eric Lester and Christopher Marchetta, both from Louisiana, now face federal immigration-related charges.<\/p>\n
Rubiceli Aldana and Camille Aldana, both Belize citizens, are charged with illegal entry into the United States.<\/p>\n
The charges were filed in U.S. District Court for North Dakota<\/a>.<\/p>\n Court documents say the sensor activated around 11:12 p.m. west of the Neche Port of Entry.<\/p>\n The system reportedly showed a person carrying a backpack and walking south from the border.<\/p>\n A short time later, agents saw a vehicle with Tennessee license plates nearby.<\/p>\n The vehicle was reportedly traveling about 85 mph on Highway 18.<\/p>\n Agents stopped the vehicle and found Lester behind the wheel, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Marchetta was sitting in the front passenger seat.<\/p>\n Rubiceli Aldana and Camille Aldana were sitting in the back seat.<\/p>\n Lester reportedly told investigators he was lost and returning to a Grand Forks hotel.<\/p>\n The two women later admitted crossing the Canadian border illegally, according to court records.<\/p>\n Camille Aldana told investigators that she traveled with her aunt from Belize.<\/p>\n She said they traveled through Canada before reaching Manitoba.<\/p>\n They then took a taxi toward the United States border, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n The women allegedly walked through farm fields before reaching a road.<\/p>\n Investigators say they were later picked up by the vehicle carrying Lester and Marchetta.<\/p>\n Camille Aldana said she knew Marchetta through a mutual friend.<\/p>\n She reportedly told investigators she did not know Lester.<\/p>\n Lester and Marchetta each face three federal counts involving alleged immigration violations.<\/p>\n The counts involve allegations of bringing, transporting and harboring a person unlawfully in the country.<\/p>\n Authorities said the Aldana women carried nearly $1,000 combined.<\/p>\n Marchetta reportedly had more than $3,300 when he was arrested.<\/p>\n Court records cited by Valley News Live<\/a> also describe previous convictions involving both men.<\/p>\n Investigators reported no previous criminal or immigration history for either Aldana woman.<\/p>\n Marchetta declined questioning without an attorney, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Lester spoke with investigators but did not explain why the group was in northern North Dakota.<\/p>\n All charges are accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News<\/a>.<\/p>\nBorder Sensor Triggers Investigation<\/h2>\n
Women Describe Border Crossing<\/h2>\n
Federal Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
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