BUFFALO, N.Y. – Horace Garfield Tajah, 35, of Kingston, Jamaica, is facing up to two decades in federal prison after pleading guilty today to the charge of illegally reentering the United States. The plea, entered before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, brings Tajah one step closer to a return to incarceration after a previous stint for serious crimes.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Lamarque, Tajah attempted to slip back into the country on January 23, 2013, crossing the border from Canada at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. He wasn’t using his own ID. Tajah presented a valid United States passport…belonging to someone else, and falsely claimed to be an American citizen. The charade quickly unraveled when standard database checks flagged him as an aggravated felon – a man already deemed dangerous enough to be removed from the country.
The revelation of Tajah’s criminal past is damning. In 2010, he was convicted in the Southern District of New York on multiple counts, a cocktail of drug offenses, weapons charges, and a chilling conspiracy to commit murder. The sentence at that time: 72 months behind bars. But it didn’t stop there. Following his release, Tajah was deported to Jamaica on December 28, 2012, with a lifetime ban from the United States attached.
Apparently, a lifetime ban wasn’t enough of a deterrent. Tajah’s brazen attempt to circumvent the law highlights the ongoing challenges faced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The investigation, spearheaded by CBP’s Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, underscores the agency’s commitment to securing the border and holding repeat offenders accountable.
The maximum penalty for illegally reentering the United States after an aggravated felony conviction is steep: 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Tajah will learn his fate on June 5, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., when Judge Vilardo hands down the sentence. Expect a lengthy stay this time.
This case serves as a stark reminder that crossing the border illegally – especially with a history of violent crime – carries significant consequences. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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