CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Serge Maombi, a/k/a Patrick Mwiseneza, a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to use an unlawfully obtained alien registration card for entry into the United States and making a false statement to a Customs and Border Protection Officer. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. In addition, Jean Pierre Imani, also a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with smuggling and making a false statement to a Customs and Border Protection Officer, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 20, 2019, at approximately 3:45 p.m., the defendants attempted to enter the U.S. at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry. During primary inspection, Imani, who was driving, and Maombi, who was in the back seat, presented identity documents, including a United States Permanent Resident Alien Card. Maombi’s card listed his identity as Patrick Sirikare. After examining the facial discrepancies of Maombi with the picture listed on the card, the vehicle was referred for secondary inspection.

During secondary inspection, Maombi stated that he was Patrick Sirikare. A fingerprint scan revealed that Maombi’s fingerprints were a mismatch.

Also during secondary inspection, Imani told officers that he and a third vehicle occupant had traveled to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada from Michigan alone for sightseeing. Imani later admitted that he, the third passenger, and the real Patrick Sirikare traveled from Michigan to Niagara Falls to pick-up Sirikare’s older brother, Maombi, and bring him to the U.S. with Sirikare’s green card.  

The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and are being held pending a detention hearing on May 24, 2019.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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