10 December 2008

Bra Boy leader arrested in US for visa violation

American officials detained Australia's surf gang leader Koby Abberton in Hawaii last week on charges of assault and visa violation, reports The Age.

Immigration officials arrested the Bra Boy documentary star last Thursday at Honolulu international airport after they were made aware of his American visa violation. 

American authorities kept him in solitary confinement on account of his history of violence, and Abberton's lawyers have made official complaints of maltreatment during his detainment (which have been categorically denied by officials).

Abberton entered a no contest plea to the third degree assault charge and was released from custody after two days, but immigration officers took him into custody when he tried to leave the country on Thursday.

The assault charge conviction contravened the American visa waiver programme Abberton and most Australian travellers to the US agree to abide by.  Part of the conditions of the American Tourist Visa programme maintains that visa holders are to have good characters and abide by American civil law.

Abberton and his brother recently produced a documentary Bra Boys that focuses on the violence involved in their notorious surf gang based in the southeastern beaches and suburbs of Sydney.  The documentary features Oscar-winner Russell Crowe as the narrator and was released worldwide.

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The American Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in American visa and immigration services.

Article by Jessica Bird, American Visa Bureau.