Aijalon Mahli Gomes, 30 years of age from Boston, was reportedly arrested last January 25 by North Korean authorities

Aijalon Mahli Gomes, 30 years of age from Boston, was reportedly arrested last January 25 by North Korean authorities for illegally crossing into the country from China, among other illegal activities. Gomes acknowledged the act during a trial last Tuesday, according to Korean Central News Agency.

“An examination was made of the hostile act committed against the Korean nation and the trespassing on the border of (North Korea) against which an indictment was brought in and his guilt was confirmed, ” according to the dispatch by the KCNA.

Gomes will be spending eight years in a North Korean labor prison, aside from being fined the equivalent of approximately US$700,000.