BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Olivia Leigh Suriani, 32, a citizen of Canada, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with illegal re-entry. The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both
Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Niagara Regional Police alerted U.S. Border Patrol that a woman was onboard a kayak heading toward Beaver Island State Park from Canada. Upon arrival, Suriani was found near Beaver Island Park approaching a taxi. When questioned by a Border Patrol agent, the defendant admitted to entering the United States illegally on the kayak. Suriani was previously removed from the United States on Jan. 13, 2014 and returned to Canada after she arrived onboard a cruise ship.
Suriani made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott and is being held pending a detention hearing on Oct. 17, 2014.
The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Agents of US Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Chris Buskey.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
