In a recent case shedding light on human smuggling operations, two foreign nationals were charged by Miami federal prosecutors as they attempted to steer a boat filled with twenty passengers to the Florida coast. Demetrius Luciano Kemp, a Bahamian, and Mikewendzly Nestar Norelus, a Haitian, now face federal charges in the Southern District of Florida. The passengers, a mix of 12 Chinese, seven Haitian, and one Jamaican nationals, were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents off the coast of South Florida.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that on February 9, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter spotted the 25-foot go-fast boat near Bimini in the Bahamas. What ensued was a maritime pursuit, as the vessel with its lights off refused to heed commands and warning shots – continuing into U.S. territorial waters before being forcibly stopped by CBP agents.
According to the charging affidavit, Kemp is accused not only of ignoring the stop command, known as failure to heave to, but also faces allegations of encouraging or inducing aliens to enter the United States, as well as re-entry after being removed in July 2024. His counterpart at the helm, Norelus, is similarly charged with the maritime violation of failure to heave to. Biometric tests confirmed none of the passengers had legal authorization to enter the U.S., resulting in their return to the Bahamas and the detention of Kemp and Norelus pending trial.
U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office made the announcement. The case is a result of collaborative efforts between HSI Miami, CBP, and the U.S. Coast Guard – the 7th Coast Guard District. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl is charged with the prosecution, with a reminder by officials that a criminal complaint simply raises allegations, the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Further details and documents related to the case can be accessed through the Southern District of Florida's court website or on their PACER system, reflecting case number 22-cr-20255.
