Alaska Man Accused of Paying for Smuggling of Mother and Daughter
A convicted sex offender from Alaska is facing serious accusations for allegedly paying a smuggler $5,000 to facilitate the arrival of a Honduran mother and her baby daughter. This claim arises from a criminal complaint revealed by sources.
Douglas Price, a 43-year-old from Chugiak, is under scrutiny following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Authorities believe Price intended to act as a sponsor for the child once she crossed the Rio Grande into Texas as an unaccompanied minor.
The investigation kickstarted on January 16, coinciding with the child’s crossing near Hidalgo, Texas. HSI special agents took the initiative to interview kids who journeyed across the border alone while they were in custody at an immigration detention facility in McAllen.
From what the girl told investigators, it seems her mother was acquainted with Price, mentioning plans to meet him in Alaska. It appears that Price’s objective was to secure her release from custody through the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
To clarify, ORR is accountable for processing unaccompanied illegal child migrants and assessing potential sponsors willing to take custody of these minors while legal proceedings are underway. The complaint notes that investigators, through Price’s phone records, suspect him of transferring at least $5,000 to the smuggler responsible for bringing the mother and daughter together.
HSI officials managed to speak with the mother, who revealed they had a friendship that dated back about four years. Their relationship stemmed from Price’s time working in a home improvement business, where the mother also served as both his housekeeper and babysitter for his children.
The complaint presents evidence, including screenshots of messages exchanged between Price, who referred to himself as “Black Bear 9899,” and the mother, documenting the $5,000 financial transaction aimed at smuggling them. A review of the mother’s phone records corroborated the completion of this transfer.
Price, having previously been convicted for attempted first-degree sexual abuse, is now charged with conspiracy to commit alien smuggling, a felony. If found guilty, he faces a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison.
