By Breaking Belize News Staff: An American retiree who reportedly sailed into Belizean waters and had been staying in the country without legal authorization was fined $1,000 on Monday after pleading guilty to failing to produce a visitor’s permit upon demand.
Sixty-two-year-old Christopher P. Woodruff, a United States national born on May 30, 1963, was escorted in an Immigration Department van to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Coney Drive early Monday morning. About an hour later, he appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate in Court #2.
Woodruff was read a single charge of failure to produce a visitor’s permit upon demand, contrary to Section 23 (1) of the Immigration Act, Chapter 156 of the Laws of Belize. He pleaded guilty to the offence.
The court imposed a non-custodial sentence of a $1,000 fine plus $5.00 cost of court, which he was ordered to pay forthwith. In default of payment, he will serve six months imprisonment.
Woodruff had been detained since Saturday, February 21, 2026, following his apprehension.
The court also granted an application by the Belize Immigration Department for Woodruff’s removal from the country. Although he reportedly expressed a desire to travel to Mexico rather than return to the United States, the removal order directs that he be sent back to his native country.
According to authorities, on Saturday, February 2, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., the Belize Coast Guard contacted Immigration officials regarding the apprehension of Woodruff. He had reportedly entered Belize by maritime means and booked a stay at the Belcove Hotel in Belize City.
Immigration officers were dispatched to the location and, upon arrival, cautioned and interviewed him. Examination of his United States passport revealed that he had been in Belize for four days without legal authorization. When questioned, Woodruff was unable to produce a valid visitor’s permit or any official record of lawful entry.
He was subsequently advised of his illegal status and informed that he would be taken before the court to answer to the violation.
Following today’s guilty plea and fine, Woodruff now awaits removal from Belize.
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By Breaking Belize News Staff: An American retiree who reportedly sailed into Belizean waters and had been staying in the country without legal authorization was fined $1,000 on Monday after pleading guilty to failing to produce a visitor’s permit upon demand. Sixty-two-year-old Christopher P. Woodruff, a United States national born on May 30, 1963, was
The post American retiree who sailed into Belize illegally fined $1,000 pending deportation to U.S. but prefers to go to Mexico under cartel siege appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
