Tatenda Banga Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug Charges Following Illegal Border Crossings

Tatenda Banga, a Zimbabwean citizen, pleaded guilty to federal felonies related to illegal border crossings from Canada into Washington State. He faces charges for possession of firearms as an unlawful alien and possession of controlled substances. Sentencing is set for June 12, with potential penalties of up to 35 years in prison. The investigation involved multiple U.S. agencies.

Tatenda Banga, a 30-year-old citizen of Zimbabwe, pled guilty in the U.S. District Court in Seattle to two federal felonies related to his illegal crossings into Washington State from Canada. The charges stem from his actions in 2024, where he was observed on surveillance cameras in a wilderness area near Hozomeen, Washington. Banga admitted to being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

The plea agreement details Banga’s illegal entry into the United States. On January 3, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol surveillance technology detected him armed with a shotgun as he crossed the border near Ross Lake. After being identified, Banga fled into the woods, leaving behind a loaded 12-gauge Winchester shotgun, which was later traced back to a dealer in Montreal.

On December 27, 2024, authorities were alerted by the National Park Service regarding suspicious cross-border activity. A canoe discovered near Ross Dam contained items linked to Banga. Border Patrol agents soon identified him walking along Highway 20, matching his appearance to the surveillance images. When apprehended, Banga possessed several drug paraphernalia, including scales and 1.4 pounds of MDMA.

Following his apprehension, fingerprints recovered from the shotgun found previously matched Banga’s, and information from his cell phone corroborated his possession of the firearm. Banga admitted to illegally entering the U.S. while armed. The penalties for his charges could range up to 15 years for unlawful possession of a firearm and up to 20 years for drug distribution.

The case has been investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector Anti-Smuggling Unit, the National Park Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations. Prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dane A. Westermeyer and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Collins, with sentencing set before U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead on June 12.

Tatenda Banga’s case illustrates the serious legal consequences of illegal border crossings and possession of illegal firearms and drugs. Following his guilty plea, he faces significant prison time for the crimes committed. The U.S. authorities’ investigation highlighted the collaborative efforts of various agencies in addressing border security and illegal activities, underscoring the importance of comprehensive law enforcement.

Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com