American Man Jailed in Belize Pending Repatriation After Illegal Entry

An American national is spending his first night at the Belize Central Prison tonight, not serving a sentence for non-payment, but awaiting repatriation after being caught for illegal entry. Forty-nine-year-old Rodney Booher Lee Jr., a mechanic from California, was detained over the weekend and handed over to Ladyville Police. This afternoon, Lee appeared unrepresented before a Magistrate in Court #3 and was charged with being a “deemed prohibited” immigrant. It is alleged that he entered Belize illegally back on March 15, arriving via the Caribbean Sea near San Pedro Town. Lee wasted no time and pleaded guilty to the charge. The Magistrate imposed a fine of one thousand dollars, plus a five-dollar cost of court, totaling one thousand and five dollars. Lee was ordered to pay the fine forthwith, which he did, thereby avoiding the default sentence of three months’ imprisonment for non-payment. However, following his guilty plea and payment, the Belize Immigration Department applied for a removal order to have Lee Jr. sent back to the United States. The Magistrate granted the application. As a result, although the fine has been paid, Lee Jr. has been transferred to the Belize Central Prison, where he will be held until arrangements for his repatriation are finalized. That date has not yet been determined.