Men Face Federal Charges in Human Smuggling Incident off Newport

Four Mexican nationals face federal charges in what authorities say was an attempted in the waters off Crystal Cove State Park.

Three of the men, the boat's captain, assistant captain and navigator, face federal charges of conspiring to bring illegal immigrants into the U.S., according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The third man is charged with illegal entry. Investigators say they discovered that he had been arrested recently after allegedly trying to enter the U.S. on another boat.

The panga boat they were in overturned Tuesday in the surf at Crystal Cove, according to ICE. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and state Army National Guard personnel were conducting surveillance near Crystal Cove when they saw the panga boat about 4:15 a.m., court documents say.

One of the 15 people aboard the boat told investigators he agreed to pay $7,000 for the trip, according to court documents. Fourteen people aboard the boat were taken into custody; one got away.

"Maritime smuggling poses a significant threat to public safety, and prosecutions like these make it clear that there are serious consequences for those who put themselves and others in harm's way," said U.S. Attorney AndreBirotte Jr.

— City News Service

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