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LISBON A Canadian man faces up to 10 years in federal prison after admitting Thursday in U.S. District Court, Syracuse, that he smuggled illegal aliens into the country at Lisbon Beach.
Kenneth S. Reid, Johnstown, Ontario, pleaded guilty to alien smuggling, the top count of a three-count indictment handed up in April. He faces a minimum sentence of three years in prison and a maximum sentence of 10 years at sentencing June 20. He also faces up to a $250,000 fine.
In his plea agreement, Mr. Reid admitted that on April 15 he boarded three United Kingdom residents onto his boat at Prescott, Ontario, and ferried them across the St. Lawrence River to Lisbon Beach. He also admitted that he was to meet another man, Michael A. Richard, Prescott, who would take the aliens by vehicle to Yonkers. The men told authorities they had paid a total of $4,980 to be transported into the country and Mr. Reid has agreed to forfeit that amount as part of his plea agreement.
Smuggling charges remain pending in Mr. Richards case, with a trial scheduled to start March 5. Previously, charges against Mr. Reids live-in girlfriend, Wilma W. Winter, were dropped because of a lack of evidence.
Charges against two of the United Kingdom residents were dropped after the men agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. The third United Kingdom resident aboard the boat was a minor and was not charged.