A Zimbabwean national, Tatenda Banga, has pleaded guilty in a Seattle court to two federal felonies following his illegal border crossings from Canada into Washington State. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the plea, noting that Banga, 30, was detected twice in 2024 by surveillance cameras near Hozomeen in the North Cascades. He admitted to being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute. Sentencing is set for June 12, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead.
The plea agreement reveals that on January 3, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol technology captured an image of an armed individual entering the United States near Ross Lake. The person, later identified as Banga, was seen crossing the border with a longarm shotgun and subsequently defacing another camera nearby. Despite efforts by Border Patrol and National Park Service personnel to locate him, Banga evaded capture but left behind a loaded Winchester shotgun traced back to Montreal.
On December 27, 2024, further cross-border activity was reported when a National Park Service canoe was found near Ross Dam containing a machete and food wrappers. Surveillance images from RCMP showed someone with a headlamp and backpack moving towards the border.
Banga was later spotted walking along Highway 20 by Border Patrol agents who noted his resemblance to the individual seen in RCMP footage. During an immigration inspection, he failed to provide documents proving legal entry into the U.S., leading to his custody where agents discovered scales, gelatin capsules, and approximately 1.4 pounds of MDMA.
Fingerprints from the previously recovered shotgun were matched to Banga after his arrest. Additionally, information retrieved from his phone linked him to the firearm. Banga acknowledged illegally entering the U.S. while armed with the shotgun.
Unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison, while possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute can result in up to 20 years imprisonment. Judge Whitehead will consider sentencing guidelines and other factors before delivering a sentence.
The investigation involved collaboration between several agencies including U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector Anti-Smuggling Unit, National Park Service, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Dane A. Westermeyer alongside Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Collins.
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