Two illegal immigrants are in federal custody as the U.S. Border Patrol investigates the death of a Mexican

Two illegal immigrants are in federal custody as the U.S. Border Patrol investigates the death of a Mexican as he tried to illegally enter the country in Orleans County. Maria Zamore, 31, of Danbury, Conn. appeared in U.S. District Court in Burlington on Wednesday afternoon to face a felony charge of attempting to transport three illegal immigrants after their unlawful entry into the county. Federal Magistrate Kevin Doyle ordered Zamore, who is from Ecuador, to be held as a risk to flee. Meanwhile, the Border Patrol and Vermont State Police continue to investigate the smuggling death of Jose Cervantes, 45, of Mexico early Monday. Cervantes was among three people that crossed the international border late Sunday night near the Derby/Holland town line. Cervantes later collapsed when the Border Patrol confronted the trio. His two companions fled back toward Canada, leaving Cervantes in distress. One of the men was eventually caught several hours later and is now listed as a material witness in the deadly smuggling case. One of the individuals who ran from the scene toward Canada, Oscar Acosta, 44, was eventually apprehended by the Border Patrol at about 6:20 a.m. Monday. The U.S. Attorney’s Office petitioned to have him jailed as a material witness in the deadly smuggling case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher said Acosta, who is from Mexico, needs to be detained because he is an illegal alien, who is likely to be deported or will flee if allowed bail. Zamore was a passenger in the car owned and operated by Manuel Chavez of Ecuador. They said he was without any documentation to be in the United States. Both suspects in the car claimed they were lost.