Illegal Israeli Alien and Smugglers Apprehended on Harsen’s Island

Clay Township, Mich. – On June 17, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Marysville Station arrested three subjects, one illegal Israeli male and two United States Citizens for illegal entry and alien smuggling across the St. Clair River in Clay Township. At approximately 3:50 p.m., Border Patrol agents responded to a call from the Clay Township Police relating to a report of a suspicious male individual walking along the South Channel Drive near Harsen's Island. The caller reported a suspicious male being transferred from a boat to vehicle with two other occupants, that then drove towards the Harsen's Island Ferry entrance. Simultaneously, Detroit Sector personnel, utilizing the new Remote Video Surveillance System witnessed a vessel leave Walpole Island, cross into the United States, and five minutes later return to Walpole Island.

Clay Township Police located the suspect vehicle and the three subjects, and contacted the U.S. Border Patrol for assistance. Border Patrol agents arrived on scene and interviewed all three subjects. Upon further questioning, agents learned the two U.S. Citizens, Gary Clinton Goler and Monica Hardy were picking up and transporting Eyal Aharoni, an illegal alien from Israel. All three subjects were arrested and transported to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Marysville Station for further investigation and processing.

Aharoni admitted, he recently entered Canada from Israel and was being smuggled into the United States across the St. Clair River. Aharoni has been charged with Illegal Entry in the United States and is being held at the Macomb County Correctional Facility awaiting an immigration hearing.

Goler is being charged with felony harboring, and transporting an illegal alien into the United States. Goler is being held at the Macomb County Correctional Facility and could face up to 10 years in prison. Monica Hardy’s information and biometrics were entered into a federal database but she was not charged and was released on her own recognizance.

Detroit Sector Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Randy Gallegos said, “This interdiction is a great example of the community, local police, technology, and the U.S. Border Patrol all working together to secure our borders and protect our communities. This clearly shows how important a role, citizens of the community play in helping to secure our nations borders.”