BURLINGTON — A Canadian father and son pleaded guilty Friday to charges related to illegally crossing the U.S.-Canada border near the Haskell Free Library in Derby Line, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced.
Van Hoa Phung, 49, and his son Reason Phung, 18, both Canadian citizens, admitted to separate charges of illegal entry. Van Hoa Phung was charged with entering the United States at a non-designated location, while Reason Phung was charged with illegal entry by making willfully false statements.
According to court records, U.S. Border Patrol observed a man in a red shirt and shorts walking south and crossing the international border near the Haskell Free Library on June 5, 2025, at approximately 2:35 p.m. The library area is not designated as a legal entry point.
After crossing, the man entered the passenger side of a red Tesla vehicle. Border Patrol agents stopped the vehicle in a Derby parking lot and identified the driver as Reason Phung and the passenger as Van Hoa Phung, who was wearing clothing matching the description of the border crosser.
Investigators determined the Tesla had previously crossed through a legal port of entry in Derby with only Reason Phung as the occupant. Reason Phung admitted he dropped off his father at the Haskell Free Library, entered the U.S. legally through the port of entry, then picked up his father after Van Hoa Phung illegally crossed the border.
When entering legally, Reason Phung told officials his purpose was to visit grandparents. However, his actual intent was to transport his father to an airport before returning to Canada, making his statement false.
Both defendants appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on June 6, where they pleaded guilty and received time-served sentences.
