Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, a 26-year-old resident of Sebring, Florida, has pleaded guilty in a Miami federal court to charges related to conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States. This development follows her involvement in a tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals.
Court documents reveal that around November 2022, Dominguez-Nieves, who herself entered the United States illegally, collected at least $11,500 from the families of migrants based in South Florida. The money was intended for smuggling their relatives from Cuba into the United States. She transferred these funds to an accomplice in Cuba who then arranged for approximately 18 migrants to be transported on a small fishing vessel. The boat lacked life jackets and was captained by an individual who survivors claimed did not know how to operate it. Tragically, the vessel sank about 30 miles into its journey, leaving only two survivors. Among those who perished were young children and teenagers, with ages ranging from nine months to seven years old and including two 16-year-olds. Four bodies were later recovered at sea with drowning cited as the cause of death.
Dominguez-Nieves is scheduled for sentencing on April 11 at 11:00 a.m. in Miami and could face up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Margelot from the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), Southeast Region.
The investigation involved CGIS Southeast Region along with assistance from several agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Key West, U.S. Border Patrol Miami Sector, Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller is handling prosecution duties for this case.
Further information regarding this case can be found on websites managed by both the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and the District Court for the Southern District of Florida under case number 24-cr-20223.