A California man entered a guilty plea to charges brought against him after a maritime smuggling accident killed three people aboard the boat he was operating, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency announced recently.
Antonio Hurtado entered the plea during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo on April 6, ICE reports in the April 7 announcement. Hurtado admitted in the plea agreement that on May 1 and May 2, 2021, he was operating a boat containing 32 people, including three unaccompanied minors, who had paid him up to $18,000 each to be brought illegally to the U.S., ICE reports.
During the overnight journey, the boat ran aground in rough seas and broke up, causing the passengers to fall into the ocean. Three of the passengers died in the wreck, the statement reports.
“That unscrupulous smugglers put lives in danger to support their criminal activity is reprehensible,” Chad Plantz, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent in San Diego, said in the report. “These deaths could have been prevented were it not for this individual concerned more for his own greed rather than the safety of others."
Hurtado professed to being intoxicated on drugs and passing out while piloting the vessel, ICE reports. The boat traveled aimlessly until its engine failed while Hurtado was unconscious, eventually running aground and breaking apart, according to the report. Hurtado escaped the sinking vessel and made it ashore without attempting to assist the passengers to safety, ICE reports.
Private citizens who witnessed the accident and multiple rescue agencies responded to rescue most of the immigrants, according to ICE.
“This was a horrific tragedy that never should have happened,” U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said in the announcement. “Because of the incomprehensible and stunning recklessness of the defendant on that terrible day, three people died and many others had to be rescued from rough seas."
Hurtado pleaded guilty to three counts of Attempted Bringing in Illegal Aliens Resulting in Death (each has a maximum sentence of life in prison); three counts of Attempted Bringing in Illegal Aliens for Financial Gain (which have a five-year mandatory minimum sentence); and one count of Assault on a Federal Officer, ICE reports. He is scheduled to appear before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino for sentencing on July 1, ICE reports.
"I have said it many times, and I will say it again: Never trust a smuggler," Grossman said. "They care only about money. They care nothing for your safety. It’s not worth risking your life.”
