A Chinese national received a prison sentence for attempting to transport illegal immigrants by boat from Saipan to Guam, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands announced on March 17.
Yang HongJiang, 68, was sentenced on March 14 to 30 days in prison by the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Yang was previously found guilty of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and aiding and abetting the transportation of illegal immigrants. The court also ordered 50 hours of community service, one year of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment fee.
The Epoch Times contacted Yang’s lawyer for comment and did not receive a response by publication time.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O’Malley, leading to Yang’s conviction by a jury.
On July 11, 2023, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) received a report that the U.S. Coast Guard rescued 11 individuals, including nine Chinese citizens, from a small vessel off the coast of Rota, the southernmost island in the Mariana Islands chain, heading toward Guam.
The rescue occurred after the vessel ran out of fuel after departing from Saipan two evenings prior. The occupants attempted to contact another boat for fuel resupply, but when that effort failed, they radioed the U.S. Coast Guard, triggering an emergency search mission, according to the statement.
The District Attorney’s Office noted that in their attempt to secure more fuel and continue their illicit journey, the group endangered not only themselves but also their rescuers.
The United States and two regional allies located the stranded vessel at around sunset on the same day and rescued the group after midnight using a Navy helicopter.
Nine of Yang’s coconspirators appeared in court on earlier dates and were charged with conspiracy to transport illegal immigrants. All pleaded guilty, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Shawn Anderson for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands said Attorney General Pam Bondi “has made immigration enforcement the highest priority” in the Justice Department.
“We will [fulfill] our mission through federal, territorial, and commonwealth partnerships to deter unlawful migration and promote safety at sea,” Anderson said in a statement. ”Anyone with information regarding this type of criminal activity should contact Homeland Security Investigations.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Lucy Cabral-DeArmas also commented on the sentencing, saying, “Stopping these crimes not only protects our communities, but also targets the inherent dangers present with human smuggling. ICE-HSI protects our borders through enforcing our immigration authority.”
On Dec. 9, 2024, Jiang paid $6,000 for an illegal trip from Saipan, accompanied by seven other Chinese nationals, and they were transported to Guam by boat. The District Attorney’s Office noted that the passengers were forced out of the vessel when they drew close to land—even though some of them did not know how to swim.
Most of the individuals were later found “near sensitive military installations,” according to the press release.
Guam—sometimes called the “tip of the spear” or the “forward edge of the Indo–Pacific” by the U.S. military—is a strategic stronghold for American forces and home to a major U.S. submarine base.
The U.S. island territory is also home to Andersen Air Force Base, which has ample runway space for bomber and fighter aircraft.
Moylan said at the time that he was “very concerned” about Guam’s defensive posture in the face of advanced new weapons being developed by the Chinese communist regime’s military, noting that Guam sits about 1,900 miles from mainland China.
