Timothy J. Racicot Acting United States Attorney for the District of Montana | Wikipedia
Seven Romanian nationals appeared in a Great Falls court yesterday to face charges related to illegal entry into the United States, according to U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme. They reportedly crossed from Canada into Montana, resulting in their arraignment.
Two of the defendants, Ionut Gheorghe, 27, and Adi Marinescu Gheorghe, 32, entered not guilty pleas to charges of transporting illegal aliens. A conviction could result in up to five years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Adi Marinescu Gheorghe faces an additional charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien, carrying potential penalties of two years in prison and similar fines and supervised release.
The other individuals, Mihai Mahaela, 40, Sorin Sandu, 45, Conte Nicolae, 19, Alin Amadeus Musuroi, 23, and Lacrimoara Nicolae, 51, also pleaded not guilty to illegal entry. Conviction could lead to six months in prison with a $100,000 fine and one year of supervised release.
Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided over the hearing and ordered that all seven defendants remain detailed pending further legal proceedings.
According to court documents, Ionut Gheorghe and Adi Marinescu Gheorghe each drove one van allegedly detected by the U.S. Border Patrol crossing into the United States at around 2:30 a.m. on April 25, 2025. The vans, carrying a total of 21 individuals including men, women, and children, were intercepted on I-15 and taken to the Sweetgrass Border Patrol Station for further examination.
The United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting, and the United States Border Patrol is handling the investigation.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime offenders.
"The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."
The public can monitor the case progress through the U.S. District Court Calendar and PACER system, details for which are available on their respective websites.
