Six people are now facing federal charges here in Michigan, after border patrol agents busted a human smuggling operation in Port Huron, Michigan. Port Huron is in St. Clair County, Michigan. The people arrested were apparently Polish citizens.
According to numerous media sources, the case began when Federal border patrol agents patrolling the St. Clair River noticed two people in a boat heading directly for Canadian waters. The boat, named Sacrebleu which means ‘Sacred Blue’ in French, contained two people. American border patrol agents contacted their Canadian counterparts across the river and reported the boat as a vessel to watch.
That’s exactly what the Canadian border patrol authorities did. They watched the boat dock, and then watched four people climb aboard. The boat immediately headed back towards Michigan shoreline and the Canadian border authorities returned the call, reporting the incoming vessel with it’s additional human cargo.
Just after 2:30 pm, the boat docked in Michigan at Port Huron and the six people onboard were arrested. The case has since been accepted for prosecution by the Detroit U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Michigan. They are working in conjunction with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Border Enforcement Security Task Force.
Lisiecki is facing single counts of Bringing In and Harboring Aliens
The boat operator, Piotr Lisiecki, has been charged with two federal crimes. He is facing single counts of Bringing In and Harboring Aliens and Improper Entry by an Alien. The remaining five people on the boat, namely Mona Dolinska, Maria Hauf, Jan Hauf, Roman Kowalski and Wanda Kowalska were also all charged. They are all facing single counts of Improper Entry by an Alien.
Under federal law, Improper Entry by an Alien is defined as “Any alien who (1) enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers, or (2) eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers.” It is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months. Any subsequent offenses are punishable by up to 18 months in a federal prison.
In a statement released by the United States Customs and Border Protection, a department of U.S. Homeland Security, Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison praised the efforts of the agents involved. “This was an outstanding coordinated effort between two countries. Our agents’ keen sense of situational awareness and our interoperability with (the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) were instrumental in coordinating this cross-border smuggling attempt.”
The attorneys at the Kronzek Firm have coordinated with immigration attorneys that specialize in criminal deportation proceedings over the years. Our team is available 24/7 to assist with nearly any criminal charges in the state or federal court system. We can be reached at 1 -866-766-5245.