District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez on Wednesday sentenced Angel De Jesus Marrero, 31, of Puerto Rico to three months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for encouraging and inducing aliens to illegally enter the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Gomez also ordered Marrero to pay a $100 special assessment and perform 200 hours of community service.
On May 3, Marrero pleaded guilty to encouraging and inducing aliens to illegally enter the United States. According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 22, Marrero was solicited by his codefendant, Rodriguez Ramirez, to assist in the passage of five illegal Brazilian nationals through the St. Thomas airport by checking them in at the airline ticket kiosk. Afterward, he was to ensure that the illegal aliens made it to the appropriate gate to depart St. Thomas for New York.
Federal agents, however, became aware of the plan before anyone boarded the aircraft and apprehended the defendants along with the illegal aliens.
This case was investigated by the Customs and Border Protection Office of Internal Affairs and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Professional Responsibility. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte.