U.S. Attorney Delia Smith announced Tuesday that seven people, all from Romania, were charged with illegal entry into the United States.
Clementina Rostas, 21, Argentina Razmies, 22, Ion Razmies, 33, Alexandru Panait, 34, Gheorghe Varga, 32, Hercule Muntean, 35, and Florian Muntean, 20, appeared before Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller for their initial appearance hearing after being apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agent at the Fredericks Marine Terminal on St. Thomas, according to Smith’s announcement.
They are charged with illegal entry into the United States, it said.
According to court documents, on Dec. 7 U.S. Border Patrol agents received a report from the V.I. Police Department that a group of seven individuals was boarding a passenger ferry in Cruz Bay, St. John, headed to St. Thomas. The agents later determined that the individuals had illegally entered the USVI after confirming their identities through photographs.
Upon arrival at the Fredericks Terminal, the individuals were taken into custody by Border Patrol agents and charged with unlawful entry, the release stated. Agents further discovered that Florian Muntean is wanted in Spain, based on an outstanding warrant for murder, it said.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Natasha Baker, the release stated.
