SAIPAN, MP – In a hard-hitting blow against human trafficking networks in the Pacific, Shawn N. Anderson, United States Attorney for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that ChangCai Dong, 61, and YongBing Tang, 54, both citizens of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), were sentenced on July 2, 2024, in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands. They faced charges for conspiring to transport illegal aliens, violating 8 U.S.C. § 1324 (a)(1)(A).
The pair was handed a 30-day prison term, one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 mandatory assessment fee. They were also ordered to promptly return to the PRC upon serving their sentence.
Dong and Tang were among 12 PRC nationals and two U.S. citizen crew members who were rescued by U.S. Navy helicopters during an attempted illegal transit from Saipan to Guam in July 2023. Their overloaded, poorly equipped boat ran out of fuel near Rota, drifting for over 14 hours before a distress call was received. During the sentencing hearing, both defendants expressed remorse, with one recalling the fear of capsizing under adverse conditions and thanking the U.S. government for their rescue.
“Our federal and local partners will continue to target unlawful travel between the CNMI and Guam,” said Anderson, emphasizing that this activity abuses the CNMI parole program and poses substantial risks to all involved. “Those who seek to undermine the rule of law, and in the process endanger the lives of their victims for profit, will be held accountable.”
Lucia Cabral-DeArmas, Acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI Honolulu, echoed this sentiment: “It’s fortunate no lives were lost, and HSI will continue to exercise our investigative expertise to protect human rights.” The rescue was a coordinated effort by the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy, with support from allied military personnel.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Public Safety-Rota. Assistant United States Attorney Eric S. O’Malley prosecuted the case for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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RELATED: Chinese Nationals Sentenced for Smuggling Scheme
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Key Facts
- State: Guam
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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