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Colombian jailed for smuggling Venezuelan migrants via VI

William Giraldo Cabanzo,tried to smuggle a Venezuelan family of 4 to the United States via the Virgin Islands. Photo: Internet Source
Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced William Giraldo Cabanzo of Colombia to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Bring Aliens to the United States. Photo: Internet Source
Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced William Giraldo Cabanzo of Colombia to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Bring Aliens to the United States. Photo: Internet Source
CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St. Thomas, USVI- The Virgin Islands (VI) has been linked to a recent case of illegal migrant smuggling that resulted in the conviction and sentencing of William Giraldo Cabanzo, 59, of Colombia.

On January 2, 2025, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced Cabanzo to six months in prison after he pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Bring Aliens to the United States.

Court documents from the United States Department of Justice, revealed that Cabanzo orchestrated the illegal entry of a Venezuelan family of four into the United States, utilising falsified travel documents.

Family travelled from Colombia to St. Thomas before being caught

The journey began in Venezuela, where the family was directed to travel to the VI and from there, Cabanzo arranged for their transport via private vessel to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The family subsequently boarded a commercial ferry to St Thomas, where US law enforcement uncovered their unlawful entry.

Cabanzo also an illegal immigrant

Further investigation revealed that Cabanzo himself was residing illegally in the United States, having previously been deported in 2021. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be deported to Colombia in accordance with federal immigration laws.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Assistant United States Attorney Cherrisse R. Woods led the prosecution.

17 Responses to “Colombian jailed for smuggling Venezuelan migrants via VI ”

  • yeah (04/01/2025, 14:13) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank You USVI !
    You handle this effort snglehandedly in this region.
  • pat (04/01/2025, 14:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh my
  • question (04/01/2025, 18:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What year did this take place .
  • hmm (04/01/2025, 18:54) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    That is exactly how we have an influx of Venezuelans in our territory. We need to stop it before they overwhem our shores. Illegal entries incite criminal activity.
    • @hmm (05/01/2025, 13:39) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      And you are correct, the Venezuelan family that was caught on their way to St.John would have ended up in Tortola. More than likely they already have family living in Tortola that was going to set them up on the Island. I don’t have a problem with anyone coming to our shores but please do it the right way. They do it to the BVI because it is easy for them. The BVI is to soft on illegals invading the territory. Sometimes I look around and say what the hell is going on. Seems like everyday you see a new set. Y’all better hope and pray those ROMANIAS AKA GYPSIES DON’T START INVADING THE BVI.
    • ... (05/01/2025, 17:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wrong they dont need vias to come here so they are legal
  • Big Up (04/01/2025, 20:42) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    At least usvi winning them cases.
    ...
  • The US is cracking down hard (04/01/2025, 20:44) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is going to be a mass deportation of illegals from the United States. The ones that is illegal in the IS is getting paranoid and going back to their place of origin voluntarily. The other day Two plane load of Guatemalans who were in the US illegally went back voluntarily. Last week an illegal Guatemalan who was deported from the US in 2018 but somehow made his way back into the US lit a woman on fire in a subway car watch her burn to death in NYC. They got him but when he goes to Rikers Island until his court date the inmates is going to tear him apart.
  • Yo (05/01/2025, 08:43) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    If this was tola and he only get 6 months we would say only in tola that to shows we don’t be knowing anything how the real world works
  • WFISH (05/01/2025, 10:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Only six months? Molloy need to be removed from the bench.
  • Watch out BVI (05/01/2025, 10:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Soon many of the illegals that is fleeing the US to avoid deportation is going to end up fleeing to the BVI. The BVI have to many open borders making it easy to access.
  • I think Tortola (05/01/2025, 11:41) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Needs a mass deportation. The ones that is here illegally needs to go. The ones who is here the legal way should be allow to stay. Tortola is filled with illegals. That thing about entering the US illegal and marrying a US citizen to get legal status is a thing of the past. I was reading about an illegal in Texas who was supposed to report to immigration but did not, give birth thinking if the child was born in the US nothing would happen. She was deported soon after giving birth.
  • LOL (05/01/2025, 12:48) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Venezuela taken Tola big time.
  • @LOL (05/01/2025, 16:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Authority needs to find the culpartes. Family or friend lots of con men and women in this place. Greed is mastermind, some people well dressed pretending to be good citizens are the mastermind. They soon get exposed same people who they are bringing will exppose the ring. Both locals and expats you can run bt you can't hide all the days of life.

    Stop encouraging and putting people lives at risk for greed. Ask your self you would do this to your own family. Have a heart.
  • Chris (06/01/2025, 14:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some reading this backwards. The VI is here in Tortola . They flew to Tortola from Venezuela and caught the midnight shuttle to St John and were then caught on the ferry from St John to St Thomas . They had left the Vi (BVI ) and gone to the USVI .


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