Anita Devi Gerald was convicted of bringing an alien into the United States for commercial gain following her guilty plea. Miami special agents of the U.S. Immigration and Custom's Enforcement (ICE) began investigating Gerald after receiving information that she was the leader of a human trafficking ring. Gerald assisted India nationals in illegally obtaining entry into the country. According to authorities, Gerald and her co-conspirators prepared false documents indicating that the undocumented aliens were farming experts whose expertise was needed in Belize. The documents were used to obtain a Belizean visa so that the aliens could travel through many countries in route to the U.S.
Gerald pleaded guilty and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. She also must pay a hefty fine of $250,000. "Today's guilty plea puts another alien smuggling organizer out of business," said Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division. "Traveling the globe seeking people willing to pay for illegal entry into the United States, this defendant sought personal riches in exchange for disregarding the immigration laws of our country."
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), 1200 incidents of human trafficking were reported between January 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The DOJ also reports that 83% of human trafficking involves sex trafficking while 12% of human trafficking involves labor. "A conviction may result in criminal fines, imprisonment and forfeiture of vehicles or real property that is used to facilitate commission of the crime," explained Miami criminal lawyer John Musca. A person who encourages or induces an alien to come to the U.S. even though one knows or recklessly disregards the knowledge that the alien is not legally authorized to enter the country is guilty of a felony. The sentence for alien smuggling is a fine and up to ten years imprisonment. If the smuggling results in serious bodily injury or puts someone's life in jeopardy, the penalty is a fine and up to 20 years imprisonment. If a person's criminal smuggling results in a death, a person may be sentenced up to life in prison.
If you or someone that you know is facing criminal charges it is vital that you retain an experience Miami Criminal Defense Attorney without delay. Attorney John Musca is an aggressive criminal defense lawyer who can make the difference between a prison sentence and a dismissed criminal charge. Musca Law is on your side.
