A Guyanese man is now a fugitive from justice in the U.S. after he cut off an electronic-monitoring device following his release on bail on allegations of smuggling more than US$31,000 in his underwear, among other garments, over the Rainbow Bridge, according to The Buffalo News.
The news report said that an arrest warrant has been issued for 35-year-old Stephen U. Joseph who has addresses both in Brooklyn and Guyana.
The US Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Joseph on Wednesday after he was arrested on October 31, 2009 and later placed on bail.
According to court papers, Joseph was arrested at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls last October after he entered the United States in a taxicab.
Joseph told border officers he had US$7,000 with him but actually had much more money hidden in his underwear, the lining of his jacket and in his suitcase, prosecutor Marie P. Grisanti said in the papers.
He was arrested and released on bail with an electronic-monitoring device attached to his ankle, but Joseph later cut off the device and is now a wanted man, prosecutors said.
Joseph is charged with felony counts of smuggling and making false statements to a federal official.
Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to contact the U. S. Marshals Service at (202) 307-910.
