Lordson Mboko Mavungu, a 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has pleaded guilty to illegally entering the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont confirmed that Mavungu was charged after crossing into the country at a non-designated entry point.
On May 3, 2025, around 2:00 a.m., the Royal Canadian Mounted Police informed U.S. Border Patrol about two adults and a child preparing to cross from Canada into the U.S. near Guay Farm Rd in Troy, Vermont. Border Patrol agents located individuals matching this description shortly after they crossed the border. During an immigration inspection, Mavungu presented an identification card from his home country, leading agents to determine he had entered unlawfully and subsequently arrested him.
Mavungu first appeared in court on May 5, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Initially pleading not guilty and being detained, Mavungu later changed his plea to guilty on May 8, receiving a time-served sentence instead of facing up to six months in prison.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the efforts of U.S. Border Patrol in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Gilman prosecuted the case while Lisa B. Shelkrot represented Mavungu.
This incident is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration and related criminal activities by utilizing resources from various task forces including OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).