The Monroe County State Legal professional’s Workplace and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace announce the conviction of Oscar Alfredo Bustamante-Semerene on fees of tried human smuggling.
The profitable consequence was the results of distinctive teamwork between federal, state and native businesses devoted to stopping unlawful smuggling and making certain public security in South Florida’s waters.
On July 15, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard carried out a routine security inspection of a 24-foot Sea Ray vessel in Cotton Key Basin, Islamorada, at MM 86. The vessel was operated by Bustamante-Semerene, a Venezuelan citizen, with passenger Alejandro Guache-Valdez, a Cuban nationwide.
In the course of the inspection, officers grew to become suspicious after noting inconsistent data offered by the operator. Subsequent investigation revealed that the vessel was concerned in a deliberate operation to move six Cuban nationals from Playa Baracoa, Cuba, into Florida. U.S. Coast Guard officers terminated the voyage and escorted the vessel to Station Islamorada for additional investigation.
Upon arrival, U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP) and U.S. Border Patrol brokers took custody of Bustamante-Semerene and Guache-Valdez. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace, Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Border Patrol Intelligence Division, investigated the vessel’s involvement in human smuggling. A search of the vessel’s Garmin GPS system carried out by Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace Sgt. Joel Slough offered essential proof, displaying a direct path to a recognized Cuban coastal location, per statements made by Bustamante-Semerene. MCSO was in a position to receive an arrest warrant for Bustamante-Semerene primarily based on this proof.
“The success of this case was solely attainable due to the sturdy cooperation between a number of businesses” mentioned State Legal professional Dennis Ward. “Our partnerships with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace, U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Safety Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Safety be sure that we will successfully cease these harmful smuggling operations. I commend Assistant State Legal professional Trey Evans for his excellent work in securing this conviction”.
“This was an impressive case and conviction caused by the exhausting work of all concerned, together with Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace Sgt. Joel Slough,” mentioned Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “This harmful felon has ties to the violent Venezuelan gang, “Tren De Aragua,” and is the place he must be — in jail. As sheriff, I’m disillusioned the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace did not file fees on this case.”
Chief Assistant State Legal professional Joseph Mansfield additionally praised the coordinated effort: “This case is a good instance of what may be completed when businesses work collectively to analyze and prosecute critical crimes like human smuggling. Assistant State Legal professional Trey Evans did a superb job navigating the complexities of this case and delivering a simply consequence”.
Bustamante-Semerene entered a plea of no contest to the cost and was sentenced by Choose James Morgan to 120 days within the Monroe County Jail, adopted by over 4 years of probation. His probation circumstances embrace a ban on getting into Monroe County or Florida waters, 30 hours of neighborhood service yearly, and cost of fines, court docket prices, and investigation charges. Bustamante-Semerene may additionally face immigration penalties primarily based on his plea on this case. The case with Alejandro Guache-Valdez remains to be ongoing.
Human smuggling operations pose vital dangers to each these concerned and the broader neighborhood. The Monroe County State Legal professional’s Workplace and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Workplace stay dedicated to partnering with legislation enforcement to fight smuggling and make sure the security and safety of South Florida’s residents and guests.