16 years for leader in human smuggling

A leader of one of the Chinese syndicates smuggling undocumented aliens into Guam was sentenced by the federal court yesterday to a 16-year imprisonment, getting the stiffest penalty so far in a case that also involved nine of his compatriots.

Shi Peng, 27 years old, received the jail sentence after a jury trial last October found him guilty for attempting to smuggle about 51 illegal Chinese immigrants in May 1999 into the U.S. territory.

Witnesses testified during the trial that Mr. Shi served as the lead “enforcer” on the fishing boat that sailed from the Fujian province in mainland China carrying these illegal aliens until it was intercepted by U.S. Coast Guard about 100 nautical miles northwest of Guam.

After its engines failed and the vessel sank, the 51 passengers on board were taken to Tinian where federal authorities set up tents to accommodate more than 500 undocumented aliens who were caught by the Coast Guard between April to June last year attempting to enter Guam.

Investigations revealed that some of the ship’s passengers, who paid over $7,000 each for the trip, were repeatedly beaten with fists, sticks, pulley belts and chairs; and threatened with a meat cleaver, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney Office in the CNMI.

Witnesses also testified during the 18-day trial of the lawsuit filed by the federal government against 10 alleged “enforcers,” including Mr. Shi, that one alien was beaten “so severely that he lay unconscious on board the ship three days,” said the statement.

Frederick A. Black, U.S. attorney for Guam and CNMI, hailed the sentence against Mr. Shi handed down by Federal Court Judge Alex R. Munson.

“The likelihood of stiff sentences for smugglers, combined with the repatriation of those being smuggled, should serve as a strong deterrent to those who seek to come to the U.S. in violation of its laws,” he said in the statement.

“Tireless work by both federal and local officials out an end to the illegal migrants’ egregious suffering and laid the groundwork for this successful prosecution,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Baka, counsel for the prosecution.

Johnny Williams, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service Western Regional Director, underscored the significance of the stiff sentence which he said sends a “powerful message” to those engaged in alien smuggling.

“We are committed to using every resource and tool at our disposal to put those who traffic in human misery out of business,” he added.

Mr. Shi’s sentencing followed last week’s plea agreement by Gao Xing, 16, who is one of the 10 crewmen and leaders of the fishing boat charged in the case. Four of those accused were acquitted by the jury, while Mr. Shi and Xue Jian Hui were convicted.

Mr. Gao could face at least 46 months imprisonment and his sentencing has been scheduled for April 25.

At least 29 individuals were prosecuted by the federal government in connection with five smuggling ships that were sent to Tinian last year, according to the Attorneys Office. Besides Mr. Shi, 20 others have already been sentenced, with penalties ranging from four to 46 months.