A Mexican national has been sentenced to over four years in prison for involvement in human smuggling and labor trafficking activities. Maria Del Carmen Sanchez Potrero, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, aged 71, was sentenced by the U.S. District Court in Bridgeport. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut confirmed that Sanchez, who resided in Hartford, was engaged in a scheme to smuggle individuals into the United States, where they were harbored and coerced into labor under threat of harm for non-compliance with exorbitant charges.
According to court documents, the investigation began in September 2022 when the FBI and Hartford police officers interviewed several Mexican nationals. These individuals reported being smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and subsequently transported to Hartford. Victims typically arranged with Sanchez and her associates to cross the border for a fee ranging between $15,000 and $20,000, payable once they arrived in the U.S. Often, a property deed was required as collateral before leaving Mexico.
Upon arrival in Connecticut, victims faced demands for approximately $30,000 with interest, along with additional charges for rent, food, gas, and utilities. Sanchez and her accomplices provided false documents, such as Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and assisted the individuals in securing employment. Victims were also compelled to perform uncompensated housework and yard work, with no reduction in their debts.
The Justice Department revealed that if victims failed to make expected payments, they faced threats, including harm to family members in Mexico, seizure of collateral property, exposure of immigration status to authorities, and increased interest payments. The investigation identified 19 victims, including minors and unaccompanied individuals. Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023, and pleaded guilty on October 24, 2024, to conspiracy charges related to encouraging, inducing, bringing in, transporting, and harboring aliens. She was ordered to pay restitution amounting to $574,608 and faces imminent immigration proceedings after serving her sentence.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 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.
The Societal Shift
This case underscores the ongoing and complex challenge of human smuggling and labor trafficking, shedding light on the vulnerabilities faced by undocumented individuals in the U.S. For the community of Hartford, and similar urban areas, this highlights the importance of vigilance and collaboration among local law enforcement and federal agencies to uncover and dismantle such networks.
For individuals residing in these communities, awareness of such activities and their devastating impact on human lives is crucial. The case illustrates the need for continued education and advocacy to support victims and prevent future crimes. It also emphasizes the broader societal need for comprehensive immigration reform to address and mitigate the root causes that drive individuals into the hands of traffickers.