Belize Citizen Convicted of Attempted Illegal Re-Entry Wanted to Speak to President

Belize Citizen Convicted of Attempted Illegal Re-Entry Wanted to Speak to President

Posted: Feb 22, 2012 8:13 AM
Updated: Feb 22, 2012 8:16 AM

BROWNSVILLE - A man from Belize who tried entering the U.S. at the Veterans International Bridge in Brownsville was found guilty of attempted illegal re-entry into the U.S.

At the bridge, Bernard Talbert presented a World Passport and asked for a non-immigrant visa. He allegedly told officers he wanted to travel to Washington, D.C. to speak to the president about what he considered genocide in Belize.

The World Service Authority, which is a private organization in Washington, D.C., issues World Passports. Such passports are not valid documents for entering the U.S.

During a secondary inspection, officers discovered the 37-year-old man had been previously deported several times. Talbert also had prior felony convictions for drug trafficking and immigration crimes.

During his bench trial, Talbert claimed he didn't intend to break the law and believed the World Passport was a legitimate document for entrance into the U.S.

Talbert will be sentenced on May 21. He faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

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