A Haitian national, Jimmy Metellus, was arrested by federal authorities in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for re-entering the United States after being previously deported following a felony conviction for human smuggling. The 48-year-old Metellus had completed a 14-year federal sentence for his role in a deadly smuggling scheme that resulted in the deaths of ten migrants, including an unborn fetus, in 2009.
Metellus was a co-captain of a boat carrying migrants that capsized off the coast of Florida on May 13, 2009, resulting in the loss of nine lives and an unborn child. The incident was the subject of a massive search and rescue operation conducted by multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, CBP Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Border Patrol, and local law enforcement.
Metellus was convicted in 2010 of 13 counts of Alien Smuggling Placing in Jeopardy the Lives of Aliens and nine counts of Alien Smuggling Resulting in Death. He was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison for his role in the failed smuggling scheme.
According to the indictment, Metellus and three other captains of the vessel left the Bahamas on May 9, 2009, and traveled to Bimini, where the migrants were allegedly taken off the vessel for repairs. The migrants were reloaded on the boat the next night, and the vessel departed for the United States.
A Good Samaritan reported seeing people in the water approximately 16 miles east of Palm Beach County, Florida, in the early morning hours of May 13, 2009, prompting a massive search and rescue operation. Sixteen survivors, including Metellus, and ten deceased were identified as having been on the boat.
As an aggravated felon under United States immigration laws, Metellus faces felony prosecution for illegal re-entry into the country after removal. He could face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Miami Sector Chief Patrol Agent Samuel Briggs II announced the arrest of Metellus, stating that the enforcement action was the result of a multi-agency law enforcement operation.
