CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A Dominican Republic native got 1.5 months in prison for entering the United States illegally here.
Juan Lorenzo Matias Peralta, 38, of Santo Domingo was sentenced today 45 days for illegal entry, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller also ordered Peralta to pay a $10 special assessment, according to Shappert.
According to court documents, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) stopped a vessel in the area of North Haulover Bay, St. John after agents observed that the vessel had no lights.
After the boat was stopped, AMO agents observed five male individuals onboard. Peralta was one of the five persons onboard and it was determined he was not a U.S. citizen, but a national of the Dominican Republic.
Peralta did not have permission to enter the United States and the area where the boat was stopped was not a designated port of entry.
The case was investigated Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Unit (AMO).
It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.