Moldovan Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Transportation of Alien

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Constantin Chiriac, age 41, and a citizen of Moldova, pled guilty today to transporting an alien who had illegally crossed into the United States from Canada.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

Chiriac admitted that on May 23, 2017, while on the Akwesasne reservation near Hogansburg, New York, he picked up a Hungarian citizen who had just crossed the border illegally from Canada. Chiriac was driving the Hungarian citizen away from the border area when Border Patrol Agents stopped him. Chiriac admitted that he intended to transport the Hungarian citizen away from the border area and to Brooklyn, New York. At the time of his crime, Chiriac was in the United States on a visitor (tourist) visa.

Chiriac faces up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. on November 20, 2017. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The Hungarian citizen, Zslot Mihaly, was convicted of entry without inspection, a misdemeanor, and sentenced to 36 days in jail. He was then transferred to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security for removal proceedings.

This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward P. Grogan.