Augustine Sneh, False Statement, Pennsylvania 2018

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – A 31-year-old Liberian citizen living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Augustine Sneh, has been convicted of making a false statement and falsely claiming United States citizenship.

The conviction follows a two-day trial in which evidence revealed that on October 16, 2018, Sneh was denied entry into Canada at the Saint Bernard de LaColle, Quebec Port of Entry. The Canadian refusal led to Sneh being required to report to the Champlain Port of Entry in New York. There, during immigration inspection, Sneh falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen born in Philadelphia.

Despite his false claim, Sneh is actually a citizen of Liberia, born and raised there. He entered the United States in 2000 and has resided here since then. However, he remains the subject of an unexecuted removal order from February 2012.

Sneh faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue on September 16, 2019. The sentence will be determined based on the statutes violated, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other relevant factors.

United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Steven Bronson, Area Port Director for United States Custom and Border Protection (CBP), announced the conviction. This case was investigated by CBP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.

Keep an eye on this story as we continue to bring you more updates on Sneh’s sentencing hearing.

Related Federal Cases