Chinese Nationals Sentenced for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens

In a brazen bid to evade federal law, a pair of Chinese nationals has been slapped with severe sentences for conspiring to transport illegal aliens from Saipan to Guam.

A federal court in the Northern Mariana Islands has handed down sentences to SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands imposed the following sentences against defendants for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I):

DONGLIN XU, age 49, received a 12-month prison sentence, one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 mandatory assessment. QINGLANG LI, age 52, received an 8-month prison sentence, one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 mandatory assessment.

The two defendants organized a private watercraft transportation service from Saipan to Guam, charging each of the 12 Chinese nationals up to $5,000 for the trip. However, federal law prohibits them from traveling outside of the CNMI, and most of the individuals had no lawful immigration status at the time of the crime.

Furthermore, the 12 defendants who were transported by Xu and Li had previously been convicted, sentenced, and ordered to return to China on the same charge. The court further ordered that Xu and Li return to China within three months of serving their sentences of confinement.

“We will continue to prosecute this conduct to hold offenders accountable and promote safety at sea,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “The Court ordered substantial terms of imprisonment for these defendants due to their roles in the scheme. This should send a message of deterrence to those planning or engaging in this criminal activity.”

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Eric S. O’Malley, Assistant United States Attorney in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The sentences handed down to Xu and Li serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of human trafficking. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether more individuals will be brought to justice for their roles in this egregious crime.

With the sentences imposed, the community can rest a little easier knowing that those responsible for this heinous crime are being held accountable.