Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Jesus Torres, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Rear Admiral D. Brian Peterman, Seventh Coast Guard District Commander, United States Coast Guard, announced today that United States District Court Judge K. Michael Moore, in Miami, Florida, sentenced defendants, Omar Vega, Ramon Perez-Hernandez, Osvaldo Lima, and Elmis Ruiz, each to terms of twelve (12) months’ imprisonment and twelve (12) months’ supervised release for their involvement in their respective conspiracies to smuggle Cuban Nationals into the United States. Vega and Perez-Hernandez were named defendants in one case involving a conspiracy to smuggle thirty (30) Cuban Nationals into the United States. Lima and Ruiz were named defendants in a separate case involving a similar conspiracy to smuggle thirty-two (32) Cuban Nationals into the United States.

Previously, all of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiring to bring aliens to the United States in knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that such aliens had not received prior official authorization to come to the United States, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(2)(A), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. The maximum statutory term of imprisonment that each defendant faced on the referenced charge was twelve (12) months.

The four (4) defendants were arrested on February 4, 2004, when their separate go-fast smuggling attempts were thwarted through the joint efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Air and Marine Operations (ICE AMO), and the United States Coast Guard. In the Vega and Hernandez case, the defendants were smuggling thirty (30) Cuban Nationals aboard a 29 foot Wellcraft. As the vessel approached the United States coast, it was intercepted by the United States Coast Guard Cutter Venturous. The vessel refused to stop when ordered, and a chase ensued. The vessel was quickly and safely compelled to stop by an ICE AMO marine interceptor. The Cuban Nationals then were transferred safely to the Venturous. In the Lima and Ruiz case, the defendants were smuggling thirty-two (32) Cuban Nationals aboard a 29 foot SeaFox. An ICE AMO aircraft spotted the vessel forty-two (42) miles south of Marathon, Florida. The vessel was then intercepted by United States Coast Guard Cutter Monhegan, and the Cuban Nationals were transferred to that cutter.

Mr. Jiménez said, “This Office remains committed to combating alien smuggling. Those who engage in illegal smuggling activities should know that they will not escape prosecution.”

Mr. Torres noted, "The success of today's court proceeding is a positive step towards ICE's mission to investigate and dismantle illegal smuggling organizations. We will continue our investigative efforts in disrupting alien smuggling organizations whose only goal is to profit at the expense of others."

“We commend everyone from the U.S. Attorney's Office and ICE for the successful prosecution of these cases and are committed to working together to pursue accountability and justice for those involved in these illegal and dangerous voyages that put so many lives at risk," said Rear Admiral Peterman.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Coast Guard. These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Lopez and Assistant United States Attorney Lilly Ann Sanchez.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Return to Press Release Page

Technical comments about this website can be e-mailed to the Webmaster. PLEASE NOTE: The United States Attorney's Office does not respond to non-technical inquiries made to this website. If you wish to make a request for information, you may contact our office at 305-961-9001, or you may send a written inquiry to the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, 99 NE 4th Street, Miami, Fl. 33132.