An Ontario man has pleaded guilty after he brought two people into the United States illegally, U.S. officials say.
In a statement released by the Department of Justice (DOJ), officials said the incident occurred in May 2019 when Edwin Ramirez-Cordones launched a boat into the Niagara River with two people onboard who he knew were not U.S. citizens.
Ramirez-Cordones operated the boat across the river, into the U.S. and docked in Lewiston, N.Y., despite knowing it was not a designated port of entry, the statement continued.
After the two people left the boat, Ramirez-Cordones returned to Ontario.
The DOJ said he was to be paid $8,500 for bringing them to the U.S.
Ramirez-Cordones, 46, has since pleaded guilty to bringing an alien to the U.S. at a place other than a designated port of entry, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, officials said.