Samuel Sotero Ambrocio-Vicente, a 34-year-old citizen of Guatemala, pled guilty on Mar. 10 to illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed following a felony conviction for attempted rape in the second degree involving a minor under 15 years old. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations.
Ambrocio-Vicente admitted that he had been convicted on February 4, 2020, in Montgomery County Court and was subsequently removed to Guatemala on February 12, 2020. He was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on December 18, 2025, during targeted immigration enforcement operations in Albany. During an interview after his arrest, Ambrocio-Vicente confirmed that he did not have authorization to return to the United States.
At sentencing scheduled for July 8, Ambrocio-Vicente faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. He also faces deportation proceedings in immigration court. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on relevant statutes and guidelines.
“Samuel Sotero Ambrocio-Vicente was removed from the United States after attempting to rape a child, yet he brazenly returned in violation of federal law,” Sarcone said. “Individuals who commit serious crimes and then defy a lawful removal order have no place in this country. Cases like this make clear why the United States must maintain strong border security and strict immigration enforcement to prevent previously removed offenders from illegally reentering and putting our communities at risk. HSI’s targeted enforcement operations catch people like this, who belong as far away from our country as they can get.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan said, “The arrest and resulting plea of Ambrocio-Vicente, previously convicted of attempted rape of a minor, is indicative of HSI’s ongoing effort to secure the safety of our communities and the rule of law. HSI Albany, in coordination with ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and our federal partners, remains committed to identifying and arresting predators whose violent criminal histories pose an ongoing threat to the communities we are sworn to protect.”
