A United Kingdom citizen was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States without inspection and lying to federal investigators, according to a July 17 announcement. U.S. Magistrate Judge John C. Nivison sentenced Hameed Mohammed Nagi, 21, to time served after he pleaded guilty on June 8.
Court records show that Nagi and three other men crossed the heavily wooded border between Quebec and Somerset County during the early morning hours of April 3. Their entry point was near the Saint Zacharie, Maine port of entry, which was staffed by agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations. After leaving the woods, they walked east on Golden Road.
Local residents reported seeing four men walking along Golden Road to an Office of Field Operations agent, who then alerted the U.S. Border Patrol station in Jackman. Agents responded, located the group, and took them into custody without incident. When questioned about their citizenship, all four stated they were citizens of the United Kingdom before being transported back to Jackman Border Patrol station.
During questioning by FBI and Border Patrol agents, Nagi said he had not intentionally entered the United States and claimed he was hiking in Canada when he accidentally crossed into Maine with his friends. Investigators later determined that Nagi intended to work in the country but feared being denied a visa application. Authorities found no evidence suggesting plans for violence among Nagi or his companions.
The investigation involved U.S. Border Patrol, Office of Field Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI as part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated law enforcement efforts including Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across Maine; handling civil matters involving government interests; collecting owed federal debts; building alliances with law enforcement agencies at all levels; enhancing quality of life through law enforcement initiatives; covering statewide jurisdiction; serving as chief federal law enforcement officer; and operating as a federal agency, according to its official website.