CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A Trinidadian national who had been deported previously was arrested Thursday at King Airport on St. Thomas and charged with trying to illegally re-enter the United States.
Allan Browne, of Port of Spain, made his initial appearance Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller. His detention and preliminary examination hearings were held yesterday, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said today.
According to court documents, on April 8, 2021, Browne appeared at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) primary inspection checkpoint at the Cyril E. King Airport, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Browne was a ticketed passenger on American Airlines Flight #943 traveling to Miami, Florida.
During the inspection, Browne presented a Pennsylvania driver’s license bearing the name Antonio S. Brown with a date of birth. CBP officers asked Browne if he were a citizen of the United States or a legal permanent residence, to which he replied that he was a legal permanent resident. Browne claimed he had a legal permanent resident card, but it was not with him.
Based on record checks conducted using Browne ‘s fingerprints, officers ascertained Browne’s true and correct name and date of birth.
According to court documents, Browne was previously convicted in the Eastern District of New York for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment on June 28, 2013.
Browne was removed from the United States following his sentence. Officers also discovered Browne was removed from the U.S. as recently as last year after re-entering the United States illegally.
Officers conducted record checks and verified that Browne was not a citizen of the United States and found no information showing Browne was granted any documentation to enter or remain in America.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juan A. Albino.
Shappert reminds the public that a complaint is merely a formal charging document and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.