WILLIAMSPORT, PA — Brent Anthony Benito, age 39, a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, was convicted of hindering his removal to Trinidad and Tobago following a two-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann that concluded on October 24, 2023.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Benito entered the United States illegally in 2013 and 2014, was convicted in Delaware County of sexual assault, and sentenced to 48-96 months’ imprisonment. In 2016, he was ordered removed from the United States and was scheduled for a flight back to Trinidad and Tobago in March 2022, but refused to be fingerprinted and board the plane. After another flight was scheduled to remove him from the United States in April 2022, he refused to take a COVID-19 test which was required to enter Trinidad and Tobago.
This matter was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). Assistant United States Attorneys Alisan V. Martin and Geoffrey MacArthur are prosecuting the case.
Benito faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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