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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Smuggler Learns Not to Lie to a Judge

SAN DIEGO (CN) - Lying about his military record did no good to an alien smuggler who was sentenced to 2½ years in federal prison.

Scotty Kamakahohie White told the judge at his April 17 sentencing hearing that he had served 6 years in the Army, including three tours of duty in Iraq, and that he was honorably discharged as a sergeant.

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller told White that his service record "be a major consideration in his favor at sentencing," the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The government objected, and was granted a 6-week continuance to investigate White's military record.

Turns out White served less than 10 months, went AWOL, never set foot in Iraq or in a war zone, and was "kicked out of the Army" as a private, the U.S. attorney said.

White admitted all that at his June 2 sentencing, and dropped his objection to his 30-month sentence.

Scott, 30, of Parker, Ariz., could have been sentenced to 10 years.

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