BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A Mexican national has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for his role in a smuggling and labor trafficking operation, as well as for illegally reentering the United States, federal prosecutors announced.
Apolinar Francisco Paredes Espinoza, also known as “Pancho,” was sentenced this week in connection with the scheme that exploited vulnerable migrants. In addition to his prison term, U.S. District Judge ordered Paredes to pay $574,608 in restitution alongside his co-defendants. Upon completing his sentence, he will face deportation proceedings.
Deceptive Recruitment and Coercion
Court documents reveal that victims, primarily from Mexico, were lured into the scheme by Paredes’ co-conspirator, Maria Del Carmen Sanchez Potrero, and others. They promised safe passage into the U.S. for fees ranging from $15,000 to $20,000, often requiring property deeds as collateral before departure.
Once smuggled across the border—often under dangerous conditions—victims were transported to residences in the Hartford area, including Paredes’ Madison Street home. There, they were told their debts had ballooned to approximately $30,000 with interest and were charged additional fees for rent, food, and utilities.
Forced Labor and Fraudulent Documents
Sanchez, Paredes, and their associates provided victims with fake immigration documents, including counterfeit Green Cards and Social Security cards, to secure employment in the Hartford area. However, victims were also forced to perform unpaid labor—including household chores, yard work, and even assisting Paredes in his job—without any reduction in their debts.
Those who failed to make payments faced threats, including harm to family members in Mexico, seizure of their property, exposure of their immigration status to authorities, and increased interest rates.
Victims Included Minors
Investigators have identified 19 victims, some of whom were minors. At least two unaccompanied children were smuggled into the U.S. as part of the scheme.
Prior Deportations and Illegal Reentry
Paredes had been deported multiple times before his arrest. In November 2014, he was removed via Hidalgo, Texas, but later reentered illegally. After being arrested by East Hartford Police in December 2018 for motor vehicle offenses, he was deported again in February 2019—only to return unlawfully once more.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the FBI, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel are prosecuting the case.
This sentencing marks a significant step in dismantling a criminal network that preyed on vulnerable migrants through coercion, fraud, and exploitation.
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