(WNY News Now) – A 63-year-old Canadian citizen and native of Georgia pleaded guilty to bringing an unauthorized person into the United States through the Peace Bridge Port of Entry.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Khvicha Chalisuri, 63, a Canadian citizen and native of Georgia, pleaded guilty to bringing an alien to the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to court documents, Chalisuri was operating a commercial truck when he arrived at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in the early morning hours of June 24, 2026.

When asked whether anyone else was inside the truck, Chalisuri reportedly told officers that there was no one else.

The truck was then referred for an X-ray scan. During the inspection, an officer observed Alexandru-Stefanita Iordache, a Romanian citizen, standing in the sleeper portion of the truck’s cab.

Iordache was removed from the vehicle. Investigators determined that he was living in Canada and did not have authorization to lawfully enter the United States.

According to the complaint, Chalisuri later told investigators that Iordache was his co-driver and had been sleeping in the truck. However, Iordache was not listed on the truck’s manifest and had not been presented to officers for inspection.

Iordache had previously been convicted and sentenced, according to federal prosecutors.

The case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald is prosecuting the case.

Sentencing for Chalisuri is scheduled for December 22, 2026, at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Sinatra.