A Chinese national pleaded guilty to illegal entry into the United States, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Saturday.
According to court documents, on Aug. 3, Guangsong Chen of China presented himself for inspection to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Cyril E. King airport in St. Thomas prior to boarding a flight to the mainland. During their inspection, CBP officers determined that Chen traveled from China to Suriname and on July 26, Chen illegally entered St. Thomas by boat after paying smugglers $7,500 for his transport. No legal document exists that allowed Chen to enter the United States, and there is no evidence that Chen sought or received prior permission to enter or reside in the United States.
Chen faces up to six months of incarceration and was sentenced to time served, according to the press release.
