September 30, 2008
Tamarac man charged with trying to smuggle Cubans into U.S.
By Sallie James | SunSentinel.com
10:35 AM EDT, September 30, 2008
MIAMI - A Tamarac man is among seven South Florida residents charged with conspiracy to smuggle people into the country, a scheme that authorities say cost a Cuban man his life.

Alexis V. Cervantes, 34, was part of a team trying to smuggle 31 Cubans on a boat when a Customs and Border Protection aircraft detected the vessel on Sept. 23, U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta said.

The Coast Guard intercepted that boat and two others that were refueling it.

An unconscious Cuban man with a head injury was found on the boat with Cervantes, authorities said. The man was later pronounced dead.



The other suspects are three men from Hialeah; two men from Miami; and one man from Carol City.

All seven were arrested Friday. If convicted, each could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.


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