Brian Smith, Convicted Murderer, Faces Trial Over Citizenship Claims

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Brian Steven Smith, a convicted murderer, appeared in federal court on Monday as the first day of a two-day trial commenced to examine whether he illicitly secured U.S. citizenship. Smith, originally from South Africa, was found guilty on February 22, 2024, of 14 charges for the homicides of Kathleen Henry, aged 30 from Eek, and Veronica Abouchuk, aged 52 from Stebbins.

Smith is facing two federal charges relating to the unlawful acquisition of U.S. citizenship. Prosecutors argue that he intentionally provided false information in his Application for Naturalization between June 7 and September 20, 2019. They assert he denied involvement in violent acts, including murder and sexual assault, despite his convictions for those very crimes. Testimonies during the trial scrutinized the naturalization process, with Immigration Services Officer Sarah Goldsworthy stating that Smith had lied on several key questions. The trial is set to conclude on Tuesday, with serious implications for Smith’s citizenship status.