CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Five men and two women — all illegal immigrants from Romania — successfully boarded a commercial ferry in St. John but were intercepted by federal agents when they reached St. Thomas.
Clementina Rostas, 21, Argentina Razmies, 22, Ion Razmies, 33, Alexandru Panait, 34, Gheorghe Varga, 32, Hercule Muntean, 35, and Florian Muntean, 20, all of Romania, were brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller for their initial court appearance hearing, U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith said.
The seven illegals were apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Fredericks Marine Terminal in St. Thomas, VI, and charged with illegal entry into the United States, U.S. Attorney Smith said.
According to court documents, on December 7, 2022, U.S. Border Patrol agents received a report from the Virgin Islands Police Department that a group of seven individuals was boarding a passenger ferry in Cruz Bay, St. John, headed to St. Thomas.
U.S. Border Patrol agents later determined that the individuals had illegally entered the United States Virgin Islands after confirming their identities through photographs.
Upon arrival at the Fredericks Terminal, the individuals were taken into custody by Border Patrol agents and charged with unlawful entry.
Agents further discovered that Florian Muntean is wanted in Spain based on an outstanding
warrant for murder.
This case is being investigated by the United States Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Natasha Baker.
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