Jeremie Calo, a resident of Key West, Florida, has been sentenced to federal prison following an incident in which he resisted and evaded U.S. Coast Guard rescue attempts near South Beach. The sentencing took place on December 4.

Court documents reveal that the Coast Guard encountered a small vessel carrying six people, including Calo, in Biscayne Bay in August 2022. None of the passengers were wearing life jackets. Due to safety concerns, the Coast Guard instructed them to transfer to a Coast Guard vessel. Calo was the only passenger who refused to comply.

The situation escalated when officers had to forcibly remove Calo from the small boat for his safety. Once on board the Coast Guard vessel, Calo jumped into the bay and spent over two hours avoiding rescue efforts by swimming away from law enforcement agencies. During this time, he physically resisted assistance by pushing away an officer's hands.

Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga sentenced Calo to three months in prison followed by one year of supervised release, which includes seven months of home detention and a $2,000 fine.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Matt Margelot for the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Miami Office.

The CGIS led the investigation with support from several local agencies: Coral Gables Police Department, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami Beach Police Department, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosenfeld prosecuted the case.

Further information can be accessed through related court documents available on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida or via PACER under case number 24-cr-20263.