Yezid Otero-Reyes, 30, of Colombia, was found guilty of illegally entering the United States following a trial before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Thursday.
According to evidence introduced at trial, On June 14, Otero-Reyes arrived at the Cyril B. King Airport and attempted to board a United Airlines flight to Dulles, VA. During the preboarding inspection, Otero-Reyes presented no documentation of United States citizenship, legal residency or entry. When interviewed, Otero-Reyes stated that he departed Colombia on May 5, 2023, and traveled to the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, and Saint Maarten. On June 4, Otero-Reyes paid his traffickers $2,500 to illegally transport him by boat to St. John. Immediately after his conviction, Judge Miller sentenced Otero-Reyes to time served.
