Burlington, Vermont – On May 27, 2025, Sajah Konateh, a 51-year-old citizen of The Gambia born in Sierra Leone, pleaded guilty to charges of illegal entry into the United States. This announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont.
Court records reveal that on May 19, 2025, at around 11:45 p.m., an image captured three individuals, including Konateh, walking south toward a bike path on North Derby Road in Derby, Vermont. This location is less than a tenth of a mile from the United States/Canada border. Investigators suspected that these individuals had just crossed into the United States illegally from Canada. Border Patrol agents located and arrested them after finding them hiding in dense vegetation. Records checks confirmed that Konateh did not have legal status in the United States.
Konateh appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on May 27 and pleaded guilty. He received a time-served sentence. Two other individuals involved in this case are Belvie Ikiela Lecka, a 32-year-old citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ayse Gul Sakiner, a 49-year-old citizen of Türkiye. They also pleaded guilty to similar charges on May 20, 2025.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigative work done by the United States Border Patrol.
The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Stendig while Konateh’s defense is managed by Assistant Federal Defender Sara Puls.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through resources from various Department of Justice programs.
