3 Guatemalans charged with having false papers

BANGOR – Three Guatemalan men taken into custody Sunday at a Houlton motel have been charged in U.S. District Court with fraud and misuse of resident alien cards.

Brothers Edwin Arriaza-Jacinto, 26, and Walfer Arriaza-Jacinto, 22, both with addresses listed in Columbia, S.C., and Ruben Cabrera-Gonzalez, 41, of Indianapolis appeared in federal court Wednesday and are expected to be held without bail pending the outcome of their cases.

Each man faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. After serving any sentences that might be imposed, the men are expected to be deported.

The trio came to the attention of U.S. Border Patrol agents in Houlton on Saturday when complaints about several suspicious “Brazilian” individuals were lodged. The men were described as speaking very little English and reportedly asking customers at the Irving Big Stop for a ride across the border to Canada, according to court documents.

Agents allegedly found the men the next day sharing a room at the Scottish Inn in Houlton. All three were determined to be from Guatemala and admitted having false documents, according to the complaint filed in federal court.

The men allegedly told border agents that they had walked across the Mexican border into Texas at different times over the past two years.

Information about why they were in southern Aroostook County was unavailable Wednesday.

Judy Harrison may be reached at jharrison@bangordaily

news.net or 990-8207.