Non-Citizen Charged With Hindering Removal To Jamaica

HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cleon Ainsworth Samuels, age 32, was indicted on April 20, 2022, by a federal grand jury for hindering removal. 

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Samuels is a removable alien, with a valid order of removal.  The indictment alleges that Samuels knowingly took steps to prevent his own removal by failing to allow collection of a COVID-19 test which is necessary for air travel to effectuate his removal from the United States.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joanne M. Sanderson.

Samuels faces a maximum penalty of four years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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