Liverpool businessman admits trying to smuggle family into America

Oct 11 2007

breaking news

A British businessman has admitted trying to smuggle family members into the US.

David Hartley, 47, a native of Liverpool, pleaded guilty in a court in North Dakota today to a misdemeanour charge of improper entry by aliens.

His case will be transferred to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which will decide whether Hartley is deported.

In court today, Hartley was handed down a 5,000 dollar (£2,500) fine and was ordered to forfeit the motor home he tried to drive across the Canadian border into North Dakota.

Hartley was arrested in June at a border port of entry north of Minot.

Authorities said his wife and two of his daughters were hiding under a slide-out bed, and another daughter was discovered hiding in a sleeper sofa.

A website for Wilcox Homes of Ocala, Florida, lists Hartley as president and CEO of the company.

A 2005 personal financial statement entered at an earlier hearing showed that Hartley had assets of 16 million dollars and a net worth of 15.5 million dollars.

Authorities say in court documents that Hartley has “multiple convictions” in Britain for theft and at least one drug conviction.