Thread: FL: Man in Fort Pierce gets 5 years for harboring illegal al

Man in Fort Pierce gets 5 years for harboring illegal aliens
By Derek Simmonsen

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

FORT PIERCE — It was not the first time David Knowles made the trip between the Bahamas and the U.S. with a boat full of illegal immigrants, but it was the first time he'd been caught.

As Knowles awaited sentencing in federal court in Fort Pierce on Monday, U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez said he had his doubts about whether the boat captain had learned anything from the experience.

"I don't think we've gotten Mr. Knowles' attention," Martinez said, adding he was thinking of imposing a harsher sentence than asked for by prosecutors. "It seems like if he got out on a technicality, then he'd be back on a boat three days later doing it all over again."

In the end, Martinez went along with the recommendation of Knowles' attorney and a federal prosecutor, giving him five years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Knowles must surrender to immigration authorities once he completes his sentence.

Knowles, 45, of the Bahamas, pleaded guilty to three federal charges of bringing and harboring illegal aliens with two other similar charges dropped at sentencing. He was charged with trying to smuggle 15 illegal immigrants from the Bahamas on Sept. 14, an operation that was thwarted after authorities caught the boat about 300 yards off Jupiter Island.

Knowles was caught as he swam ashore, according to a criminal complaint filed in the case. He said he worked for a larger organization that routinely smuggles people into the country and had done so on several previous occasions.

He was paid $4,000 per person, he said. Two out of the 15 immigrants apprehended had previously been deported from the country — one pleaded guilty to a federal charge of illegal re-entry and was sentenced to three years and five months in prison while the other is still awaiting sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Diana Acosta said Knowles was given credit for cooperating with authorities and she recommended giving him a sentence on the low end of federal guidelines. Knowles was facing a mandatory minimum of five years in prison on the charges.

Defense attorney Donald Pleasanton, who also pushed for the low sentence, said Knowles had learned his lesson, realizing "there are better ways to make a living." Knowles himself declined to speak at the hearing.

"Maybe the 60 months will get your attention," Martinez said. "I don't know. I hope so because I don't really want to see you around here again."

The capture was one of about half a dozen such landings on Jupiter Island in the span of a year. Authorities have said the island, one of the richest communities in the country, is a popular spot for smugglers because its coastline is less populated than Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.


www.tcpalm.com

Heavy Fines and/or Felony Jail time for harboring ILLEGALS and for ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS!

He said he worked for a larger organization that routinely smuggles people into the country and had done so on several previous occasions.

Seven years after 9/11 and the borders are still wide open. Nice going Bush.

A slap on the wrist he will be out in 18 months and back on his boat