Stacey Taylor, a 42-year-old resident of Plattsburgh, New York, was arraigned Monday following her indictment by a federal grand jury in Albany on charges related to an international alien smuggling conspiracy. The indictment alleges that Taylor played a role in bringing foreign nationals, primarily from India, into the United States across the northern border.
Court records state that U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped Taylor’s vehicle near Churubusco, New York, in the early morning hours of January 20. Inside her vehicle were four foreign nationals—three Indian citizens and one Canadian—who had reportedly crossed the U.S.-Canadian border illegally without inspection during freezing conditions. Examination of Taylor’s cellphone revealed text messages suggesting involvement in several other smuggling incidents in the days prior to her arrest. Authorities say Taylor was also stopped during another suspected smuggling attempt in August 2025 and implicated again as recently as September 2025.
The indictment charges Taylor with conspiracy to engage in alien smuggling and four counts of alien smuggling for profit. Three of those counts are considered second or subsequent offenses. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years per count for alien smuggling for profit, with additional penalties possible for repeat offenses.
The announcement was made by Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York.
The investigation is being conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rouse’s Point and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol Champlain Station. Additional support came from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington D.C., CBP’s International Interdiction Task Force, and Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security focused on dismantling human smuggling networks affecting public safety and border security.
According to officials, JTFA includes personnel from various U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along both the southwest border and northern districts such as New York and Vermont, as well as divisions within the Justice Department like the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP). Law enforcement agencies including DHS, FBI, and DEA also contribute resources to JTFA efforts. Since its inception, JTFA has led to over 425 arrests domestically and internationally related to alien smuggling operations; more than 375 convictions; over 325 significant jail sentences; and forfeiture of substantial assets.
Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour from HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting this case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative using resources from multiple Justice Department programs aimed at countering illegal immigration networks and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
Authorities remind that an indictment is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
