Liberian Man Sentenced for Making False Statements

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Augustine Sneh, age 31, a Liberian citizen living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to time served (11 months in jail), after being convicted at trial of making a false statement and making a false claim of United States citizenship.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Steven Bronson, Area Port Director, United States Custom and Border Protection (CBP).

Sneh was convicted following a 2-day trial in May 2019.  Trial evidence showed that on October 16, 2018, Sneh was denied admission into Canada at the Saint Bernard de LaColle, Quebec Port of Entry.  Due to the Canadian refusal, Sneh was required to report to the Champlain Port of Entry in New York.  During immigration inspection at the Champlain Port of Entry, Sneh stated that he was a United States citizen born in Philadelphia.  Trial evidence showed that Sneh is an alien, a citizen of Liberia, born in Liberia, and that he is not a United States citizen.  Evidence showed that Sneh entered the United States in 2000.  Sneh has resided in the United States since 2000 and he is the subject of a pending removal order, issued by an Immigration Judge in February 2012.  

Following his sentencing, Sneh was remanded to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, for removal proceedings.  

This case was investigated by CBP and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.