The US Department of Justice reported that Jesus Jeovanny Alcaraz-Valdez, a maritime smuggler, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for his involvement in a dangerous and reckless human smuggling initiative and for intentionally ramming a US Coast Guard vessel according to the federal court from yesterday.
Alcaraz was responsible for shuttling an estimated 12 undocumented migrants from Mexico and Guatemala across the maritime boundary line to California's coast near the Hotel Del Coronado on December 17, 2022. The individuals were asked to remove their life jackets and enter waist-deep surf, despite some of them being unable to swim, putting their lives at risk. Eight were apprehended by US Border Patrol agents, while four were said to have escaped. The migrants had agreed to pay between $13,000 and $24,000 to be smuggled into the United States illegally.
Once Alcaraz completed the drop-off, the US Coast Guard Joint Harbor Operations Center observed him return to sea, heading south towards Mexico. The Coast Guard vessel attempted to stop Alcaraz, but he ignored their orders. In a dangerous turn of events, Alcaraz then increased speed and steered directly towards the Coast Guard vessel, ramming it twice with his boat's pointed bow, nearly hitting a Coast Guard officer in the co-pilot's seat .
Following the violent encounter, the Coast Guard fired shots into the panga's outboard engine, disabling it. All four law enforcement officers on board sustained minor neck and back injuries as a result of the ramming, and were treated by medical personnel once ashore. Alcaraz was arrested on December 17, 2022, indicted in January 2023, and pleaded guilty to twelve counts in March 2023.
"Maritime smuggling is extremely dangerous and puts the lives of the passengers being smuggled, and the law enforcement officers safeguarding our borders, at serious risk," said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. In emphasizing the importance of combating such reckless behavior by smugglers, Grossman thanked the prosecution team and the combined efforts of the Marine Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and Coast Guard Investigative Service for their excellent work on this case.
Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, Commander of Coast Guard District 11, reiterated the sentiments expressed by Grossman, stating that the safety of the Coast Guard members is of utmost importance during any mission, and that the smugglers' blatant disregard for life must be held accountable.
