A Dominican national, Alcibades De Paz, 34, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in a deadly human smuggling operation in Puerto Rico.
Court documents reveal that De Paz was operating a vessel transporting non-citizens, including a three-year-old boy, from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico. When the boat’s engine failed, De Paz restarted it and navigated toward Rincón, Puerto Rico, while evading law enforcement efforts to intercept the vessel safely.
On Dec. 23, 2022, the vessel capsized near the shore, resulting in the tragic death of the three-year-old child.
De Paz pleaded guilty on Aug. 27 to one count of bringing certain aliens into the United States, resulting in death. Along with his prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release.
The case was announced by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, and HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Gonzalez-Ramos.
HSI San Juan led the investigation with support from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau’s Joint Forces of Rapid Action and U.S. Border Patrol, Ramey Sector.
Trial Attorney Marie Zisa and Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina M. Agrait-Barreto prosecuted the case.