Liberian National Pleads Guilty to Resisting a Federal Officer During Removal Process

BOSTON - A Liberian national pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to resisting a federal officer at Logan International Airport. The defendant struck and injured deportation officers as they attempted to facilitate his removal from the United States.

Mohammed Kenneh, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of resisting a federal officer. U.S. District Court Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. scheduled sentencing for April 24, 2018.

On July 11, 2016, Kenneh was ordered removed from the United States to Liberia.  Kenneh’s removal order was based in part on previous criminal convictions, which rendered him deportable. On Aug. 29, 2017, Kenneh was transported to Logan International Airport where he was met by two deportation officers assigned to accompany Kenneh to Liberia.  Kenneh refused to cooperate and exit the transportation van, and he repeatedly struck both deportation officers, causing the officers physical injury. Kenneh was eventually removed from the transportation van, but continued to be uncooperative. A decision was then made to abort the removal proceedings and return Kenneh to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

Kenneh faces a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and will be subject to deportation upon completion of his sentence.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Christopher Cronen, Field Office Director, Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston Field Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.