Zhe Jun Jiang, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China appeared in federal court with his counsel, Steve Pixley, while the federal government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Schuler.
U.S. District Court for the NMI presiding Judge Alex R. Munson ordered that a pre-sentence investigation be submitted by April 21, and set the sentencing hearing for May 26.
The defendant entered into a plea agreement with the federal government, pleading guilty to the offense of misuse of passport. The court accepted both the defendant’s plea and plea agreement and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.
The federal government filed one count for misuse of passport against the defendant for posing as another person and using the passport issued to Yin Minghao on July 18, 2009.
Documents showed that on July 17, 2008, Police Officer Chris Guerrero questioned the defendant on suspicion of driving an illegal taxi.
The defendant told Guerrero that his name was Yin Minghao. He used Yin Minghao’s passport and surrendered it to the CNMI immigration officials as a condition of his release.
On Aug. 14, the defendant stipulated to deportation.
Police learned that the defendant drove to the Saipan International Airport with Yin Minghao.
Investigator John Peter of the Division of Immigration assisted the defendant in checking in at the Asiana ticketing counter and returned the passport to him.
After checking in his luggage, the defendant told Peter he needed to talk to a friend. He did not return.
The defendant instead went to the parking area and handed the passport to Yin Minghao who then attempted to board the flight the defendant was booked in.
Peter arrested Yin Minghao, who claimed to be the real Yin Minghao and owner of the passport used by the defendant prior to boarding the flight.
In December last year, Superior Court Judge David A. Wiseman ordered Zhe Jun Jiang to post a $2,000 cash bail for overstaying in the CNMI after his worker’s entry permit expired on Aug. 21, 2005 and for using another name.
The offense of misuse of passport carries a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a special assessment fee of $100.
