C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers in Massena, N.Y. Arrest Canadian Woman on Smuggling Charges

Canadian Man Found Hidden in Vehicle Trunk


(Wednesday, December 15, 2010)

Massena, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announces the arrest of a woman for attempting to smuggle a citizen of Canada into the United States.

On December 13 at approximately 4:00 a.m., CBP officers working at the Massena, N.Y. port of entry encountered 24-year-old Caroline Thorn, a Canadian citizen from Quebec City, Quebec, as she applied for admission into the United States. Ms. Thorn presented a Canadian passport as proof of citizenship and identity and advised CBP that she was en route to the Mohawk Casino in Akwasasne, N.Y. to gamble for a couple hours. Initial questioning raised the suspicion of the primary CBP officer and Ms. Thorn was referred for a secondary enforcement exam for verification of her immigration status.

During the course of the inspection of Thorn’s vehicle, CBP officers observed a blanket covering the contents in the trunk. CBP officers removed the blanket and discovered a male subject concealed under the blanket. The subject was immediately taken into custody by CBP officers. The subject was found in possession of a Canadian Identification Card and Canadian Health card bearing the name Kaven Roberge. Record checks revealed that Mr. Roberge is a 25-year-old Canadian citizen with numerous criminal convictions in Canada.

During the interview, it was determined that Mr. Roberge was not in possession of a passport and both he and Ms. Thorn believed that he would be denied entry into the United States due to the lack of his travel document. Mr. Roberge criminal convictions also make him inadmissible into the United States.

Ms. Thorn was arrested by CBP on federal charges of aiding and abetting. Mr. Roberge was arrested by CBP and charged with eluding inspection. Both subjects are being held in the Clinton County Jail pending prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of New York.

The United States Attorney's Office reminds that a criminal complaint is only an accusation, and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Kevin Corsaro
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (716) 626-0400 Ext: 204
Fax: (716) 626-7627

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 152010.xml