CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Champlain arrested several subjects after two of them falsely claimed to be U.S. citizens and the third falsely claimed to be a lawful permanent resident in the U.S.
On October 16, CBP officers working at the Port of Champlain encountered three male individuals; Augustine Sneh, a 30 year old, Liberian citizen, Alvin Cole, a 42 year old Liberian citizen, and Gwenigale Selewoyan, a 38 year old Liberian citizen, after they were refused admission into Canada by officials of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).
During a secondary interview both Sneh and Cole claimed to be U.S. citizens while Selewoyan claimed to be a U.S. permanent resident. Secondary biometric verification revealed the individuals true citizenships as Liberian. Further investigation revealed that all three individuals were aggravated felons based on previous arrests and all had prior removal orders.
During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a black bag containing stacks of white paper that were the same size as a U.S. note, duct tape, two bottles of iodine, a stack of black paper that resembled U.S. currency, one U.S. dollar and talc powder. All of these items are consistent with items used in a money scheming scam
The case was presented to the U.S. Attorney’s Office who accepted prosecution of Sneh and Cole for False Claim to U.S. Citizenship and Selewoyan for False Statements.
"This was an outstanding job by our front line officers," said Champlain Area Port Director Steven Bronson. "Our officers possess keen observational skills and in this case, were able to determine that the occupants of the vehicle required further inspection. We worked closely with our law enforcement partners including the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these violators face justice.”
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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