News Americas, ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, Weds. Aug. 26, 2015: A 71-year-old French national is facing jail time after admitting to attempting to smuggle 38 Cubans and one St. Lucian into the U.S. illegally
Alain Rene Leichtnam pleaded guilty to 38 counts charging him with alien smuggling.
According to court records, Leichtnam was arrested on April 29 when CBP and Coast Guard assets intercepted a sailing vessel heading toward Coral Bay in St. John, Virgin Islands.
CBP agents observed Leichtnam operating the vessel and identified 38 Cuban nationals and one national of St. Lucia onboard. Leichtnam admitted that he transported the Cuban nationals to the United States for financial gain knowing that such conduct was illegal.
Leichtnam was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to await sentencing on Dec. 4.
