Ewart Henry, Attempted Reentry with False ID, Connecticut 2017

ST. THOMAS, USVI – Ewart Henry, 71, of Jamaica, is cooling his heels in federal custody after attempting to board a flight out of Cyril E. King Airport with a flimsy Connecticut ID and a whole lot of nerve. The man, previously deported from the United States in 2008, was busted on April 21, 2017, when he couldn’t prove he had permission to return.

According to court documents, Henry presented himself at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checkpoint, trying to catch an American Airlines flight to Connecticut. When asked for proof of citizenship, he produced a Connecticut state ID – a transparent attempt to mask his true status. A secondary inspection quickly revealed Henry’s Jamaican nationality and his prior deportation, making his presence in the US illegal.

Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett isn’t buying it. Henry made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller and was promptly detained. Preliminary and detention hearings are scheduled for April 25, 2017, where the feds will argue to keep him locked up while they build their case.

This isn’t a simple overstay. Federal law is clear: if convicted of illegal reentry, Henry is looking at a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars and a hefty $250,000 fine. The investigation is a joint effort between CBP and U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – these agencies aren’t playing games with border security.

Assistant United States Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte is prosecuting the case, meaning she’ll be the one trying to convince a jury that Henry knowingly broke the law. Hewlett was quick to point out, as is standard, that a criminal complaint is just an accusation. “Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,” she stated – but don’t expect a sympathetic ear from the feds.

This case is a stark reminder that attempting to circumvent U.S. immigration laws comes with serious consequences. Henry thought he could slip back into the country undetected, but CBP and HSI were waiting. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the outcome. Expect a full report after the April 25th hearings.

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