A federal jury has found Omaily Sanchez Taveras, a 36-year-old from the Dominican Republic, guilty of alien smuggling following a two-day trial. United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced the conviction in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
The charges stemmed from an incident on October 13, 2024, when authorities received a tip about a suspicious vessel in the Fortuna Bay area of St. Thomas. The vessel was discovered near West Cay by Custom and Border Protection Air and Marine Interdiction agents. On board were four Romanians, four Dominican Republic nationals, and two Brazilians who had allegedly paid Taveras to transport them to Culebra, Puerto Rico.
For his role in the smuggling operation, Taveras faces up to 10 years in prison and could be fined up to $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations alongside Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Interdiction. Assistant United States Attorneys Everard E. Potter and Denise N. George prosecuted the case.