A Bahamian national, Shakerio Michael Jones, has admitted his guilt in relation to charges of alien smuggling. This comes after a Miami federal district judge ruled on the case. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers had initially spotted Jones on December 19, 2024, piloting a boat from The Bahamas towards the U.S. Upon entering U.S. waters near Miami-Dade County, the CBP, in collaboration with Air and Maritime Operations, engaged the vessel and halted its progress.
The officers discovered 13 people onboard, who were subsequently determined to be without legal entry permission. Nationalities among the individuals included the United Kingdom, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, India, and The Bahamas. Additionally, records confirmed Jones had been removed from the U.S. previously. The other individuals on the boat were sent back to The Bahamas.
On April 24, Jones submitted a guilty plea, which was reviewed and recommended for acceptance by Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres. The plea was then adopted by U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Becerra on April 30, formally convicting Jones.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 18 in Miami, where Jones faces a possible 20-year imprisonment, with up to three years of supervised release, and a fine reaching $250,000. U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, along with Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, announced the development.
The investigation was led by HSI Miami, aided by CBP and the USCG, 7th Coast Guard District. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl is handling prosecution duties.
Further information regarding the press release can be accessed at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida's website. Court documents and case specifics are available online under case number 24-cr-10027.