An illegal migrant boat captain allegedly ditched his vessel en route to the United States and left several illegal migrants to die in the ocean.
Mexican national David Alfonso Barrera Nunes was charged in federal court on Monday in connection with the deaths of four passengers over the weekend off the California coast, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). Federal prosecutors say Nunes not only facilitated illegal immigration into the U.S., a serious federal crime, but also refused pleas from passengers to turn back to Mexico amid signs that his boat was malfunctioning.
“This event underscores the very real danger and consequences of crossing the border illegally,” San Diego Sector Chief Border Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre said in a public statement.
“The decision of this smuggling organization to carelessly risk the lives of everyone involved is truly inexcusable,” De La Torre continued. “We will ensure full accountability for anyone who chooses to violate our Nation’s laws.”
Border Patrol agents were notified late Friday night about a small vessel crossing international waters between Mexico and the U.S., with agents spotting a capsized panga in six-foot waves near Imperial Beach, according to the DOJ. Responding Border Patrol agents were able to flip the panga over and transport the survivors to a hospital.
Nine individuals total are believed to have been aboard the vessel, including four who drowned and another five who were rescued and detained, according to prosecutors. Nunes allegedly argued with passengers who begged to turn the boat around due to apparent mechanical problems, with the boat ultimately losing engine power and capsizing in the waves.
The Mexican national, who allegedly never attempted to rescue his passengers and was the second to make it to shore, is charged with bringing in aliens for financial gain and bringing in aliens resulting in death. He faces the possibility of the death penalty on the latter charges.
Federal prosecutors also charged a passenger on the vessel, Luis Enrique Barreto Goitia, for being a previously removed foreign national who unlawfully entered the country again. Goitia, a Mexican national, was first deported from the U.S. in 2012 and again on Nov. 3.
“Bad weather, rough seas, a dangerous and overloaded vessel —  these were all risks that smugglers were willing to disregard in their desire for profit,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said in a public statement. “Maritime smuggling is extremely dangerous, and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law every individual responsible for these preventable tragedies.”
The human smuggling tragedy follows a historically low period of illegal immigration under the Trump administration.
There were 30,561 total migrant encounters across the country in October, marking the lowest start to a fiscal year ever recorded, according to Customs and Border Protection. The October numbers also marked a record-smashing sixth consecutive month of zero illegal migrant releases by Border Patrol, with every apprehended illegal migrant being processed.
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