Hayden O’Byrne United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida | The Florida Bar
A Bahamian national has been found guilty of alien smuggling by a Miami federal district judge.
Court documents and statements from hearings reveal that on December 19, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, using a CBP aircraft, observed Shakerio Michael Jones, 31, traveling from the Bahamas towards the United States. CBP officers on the water were notified and later intercepted the boat in U.S. waters off the coast of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
CBP officers, aboard a CBP Air and Maritime Operations vessel, approached the "go-fast" boat and instructed the driver to halt. Upon boarding, they moved all 13 individuals onboard to the USCG Cutter Bernard C. Webber, confirming their lack of permission to enter the United States. The passengers were identified as nationals from the United Kingdom, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, India, and The Bahamas. The officers noted that Jones had been previously removed from the United States.
Jones was brought ashore to face charges, while the other individuals were returned to The Bahamas. He pleaded guilty on April 24 before Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres, who recommended acceptance of the plea. On April 30, U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra approved the recommendation and declared the defendant guilty.
His sentencing is scheduled for July 18 at 10:00 a.m. in Miami. Jones could face up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office.
HSI Miami led the investigation, supported by CBP and the USCG, 7th Coast Guard District. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl is handling prosecution.
For copies of the original press release and updates, visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida website. Related court documents are available on the Southern District of Florida court's website under case number 24-cr-10027.
