Aggravated Felon Pleads Guilty To Reentering The United States

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Davor Goncin, 69, of Croatia, pleaded guilty to attempting to reenter the United States after a conviction for an aggravated felony, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Lamarque, who is handling the case, stated that on July 9, 2017, the defendant attempted to cross into the United States from Canada at the Rainbow Bridge.  Standard database checks revealed that Goncin was an aggravated felon.  In March 2013, the defendant was convicted of grand larceny in New York County and sentenced to 3-6 years in prison. After serving his sentence, the defendant was deported from the United States and banned for life.

The plea is the result of an investigation by United States Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 16, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.