John McCarthy
CHRISTIANSTED — A Trinidad and Tobago national admitted in federal court that he illegally snuck back into the United States in St. Croix — after being previously deported for a money laundering conviction.
Christopher Alfred, 45, of Frederiksted pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Golden Rock to re-entry of removed alien, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said. Alfred made the guilty plea to U.S. Magistrate Judge George Cannon, Jr.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on or about June 2014, Alfred, an alien and citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, was deported from Miami, Florida after being convicted for money laundering.
Due to his prior conviction, he was barred for life from entering the United States. On or about January 11, 2018, Alfred was located in Frederiksted.
Before he was found in the United States, Alfred did not seek permission from the Attorney General to reapply for admission to the United States.
Alfred faces a maximum sentence of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
A sentencing date has been set for July 1, 2020.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
