Luis Davis German Soriano, a 32-year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced for transporting illegal aliens after being convicted of the crime, as announced by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Soriano received a sentence of time served, approximately 15 months, from U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Following the sentencing, Soriano was handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The case, managed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, involved Soriano assisting co-defendant Silvestre German Andujar in transporting three individuals who were not U.S. citizens or nationals. On January 3, 2024, Soriano traveled from New Jersey to Youngstown, NY, to collect Andujar and the others. They had reached the U.S. via a motorized raft on the Niagara River from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada. As Andujar piloted the vessel across the border, U.S. Border Patrol Agents responded to the landing area, causing the group to flee. Soriano's vehicle was seen near the landing spot, and after a traffic stop, he initially provided conflicting travel reasons but was allowed to leave. Soriano returned to pick up Andujar and the others.
On January 4, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol Agents spotted Soriano's vehicle with Andujar and the others on the Niagara Scenic Parkway in Youngstown, NY. The vehicle was stopped in Ransomville, NY, leading to the arrest of Soriano and his associates. Immigration records were verified following their detention.
Silvestre German Andujar has already been convicted and is pending sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, U.S. Border Patrol under the leadership of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs, and the Lewiston Police Department under Chief Frank Previte.