Hartford, CT – Maria del Carmen Sanchez Potrero, 71, a Mexican citizen residing in Hartford, was sentenced to over four years in federal prison for her involvement in a smuggling operation that exploited migrants, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut announced on April 11, 2025.
Sanchez, who was arrested on March 1, 2023, and has been in custody since, pleaded guilty on October 24, 2024, to conspiracy to encourage, transport, and harbor noncitizens. Her actions contributed to a scheme that smuggled Mexican nationals into the United States, forced them to work off inflated debts, and threatened them with harm if they failed to comply.
According to court documents, the scheme began in September 2022, when Sanchez and her co-conspirators smuggled migrants into the U.S. and housed them at various locations in Hartford, including Sanchez’s own home. Victims were charged between $15,000 and $20,000 for their smuggling fees, often secured by property deeds from Mexico. These debts were later inflated to as much as $30,000, with additional charges for living expenses.
In exchange for their freedom, victims were coerced into working for Sanchez and her associates, performing housework and yardwork without pay. They were also forced into local jobs under the pretense of paying off their debts. Victims were threatened with violence, exposure to immigration authorities, and the seizure of family property in Mexico if they failed to meet the financial demands.
Investigators identified 19 victims in total, including minors and at least two unaccompanied children. As part of her sentence, Sanchez was ordered to pay $574,608 in restitution to the victims.
Following her prison sentence, Sanchez faces immigration proceedings. The case highlights the broader issue of migrant exploitation and human trafficking, with officials emphasizing the need to dismantle such criminal operations.
