Porfiria Maribel Ramos Sanchez, a 47-year-old Mexican national, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for her role in a smuggling and labor trafficking scheme. The sentencing was announced by Acting United States Attorney Marc H. Silverman for the District of Connecticut and took place under U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport.
Ramos was involved in a plan that smuggled Mexican nationals into the United States, where they were harbored at residences in Hartford and forced to work under threat of harm if they did not pay excessive fees and living expenses.
Court documents revealed that from September 2022, victims arranged with Ramos's mother, Maria Del Carmen Sanchez Potrero, and others to cross into the U.S. for a fee between $15,000 and $20,000. Victims often had to hand over property deeds as collateral before leaving Mexico. Once smuggled across the border to Hartford, they faced additional demands of around $30,000 plus interest for rent and other expenses.
The co-conspirators also created false documents such as Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards for the victims while assisting them in finding employment locally. In some cases, victims performed housework without pay or reduction of their debt.
Victims rarely received clear accounts of their debts; failure to make expected payments led to threats against them or their families back home.
Nineteen victims have been identified so far, including minors who entered the U.S. unaccompanied by relatives or legal guardians.
Ramos was arrested on October 5, 2023, and pleaded guilty on October 4, 2024, to conspiracy charges related to encouraging illegal immigration activities. Judge Dooley ordered her to pay restitution amounting to $574,608. Ramos violated her plea agreement by selling a property used in these crimes without notifying authorities.
Sanchez Potrero has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI and Hartford Police Department among others. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel are prosecuting the case.