Guilty plea in local death of pregnant migrant woman

PLATTSBURGH | A Colombian man faces three years to life in prison for his role in a human smuggling attempt that led to the local death of a pregnant migrant woman. Jhader Augusto Uribe-Tobar, 37, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of New York Oct. 14. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief Border Patrol Agent Robert Garcia, United States Border Patrol (USBP), Swanton Sector; and Clinton County Sherrif David Favro made the announcement. Acting United States Attorney Sarcone said, "The callousness this defendant displayed when he lost contact with the victim, a pregnant woman traversing the North Country during winter, is shocking. While her husband searched for her, the defendant told him that it was out of his hands and said, 'It's your turn.' Now it is the defendant's turn to be held accountable for his conduct, which tragically led to the death of this pregnant woman and her unborn child." Following the guilty plea, USBP Chief Border Patrol Agent Garcia said, "This heartbreaking case underscores the grave dangers migrants face when crossing the border, particularly during winter. Smugglers exploit vulnerable individuals, treating them as commodities rather than human beings, and prioritize profit over safety and life. The tragic loss of this pregnant woman and her unborn child is a painful reminder of the consequences of this exploitation. Border Patrol remains steadfast in its mission to protect lives, secure the border, and ensure those responsible for such callous acts are brought to justice." Clinton County Sheriff Favro commended Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone and law enforcement partners for their diligence and persistence in bringing the case to a successful resolution. "We all know of the dangers in traversing the difficult Northern Border terrain. The heartless people taking a life savings from aliens to smuggle them into our great country and then having them pay the ultimate sacrifice of their own precious life is reckless and dangerous to all of us. We must continue to secure our borders and protect our residents from this criminal activity," Favro said. As detailed in his plea, in December 2023, Uribe-Tobar advertised his smuggling services from Canada into the U.S. on TikTok. On Dec. 7, the victim's husband messaged him about smuggling his pregnant wife, a Mexican citizen, across the northern border and learned it would cost $2,500 to get her across the border and into Plattsburgh. Just days later, on Dec. 11, Uribe-Tobar smuggled the woman into the U.S. and exchanged messages about her progress in travel. After stopping for gas and to confirm the recipient of payment, Uribe-Toba stopped near the border and instructed the woman to cross by foot. He communicated with the pregnant woman by exchanging messages and keeping track of her location, including as she soon attempted to wade across the frigid Great Chazy River. The evening attempt soon turned to tragedy as the woman drowned in the darkened waters. Within hours, the husband raced to Champlain in a desperate search for his wife then abandoned by the smuggler and those helping him on the U.S. side. On Dec. 14, following an intense multi-agency search, local law enforcement found the woman's body submerged in the icy waters.

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Guilty plea in local death of pregnant migrant woman

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