May 18, 2009 11:51 pm US/Eastern
Man Charged In Deadly Haitian Smuggling Attempt
Sixteen People Survived The Journey
Click Here To Read Criminal Complaint Against Jimmy Metellus
WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) ―
-
-
Jimmy Metellus has been charged with alien smuggling involving death.
U.S. Attorney's Office/CBS
The soft glow of candlelight lit up the Notre Dame d' Haiti Catholic Church Monday night as men, women, and children sang hymns to honor those who died in last week's tragic smuggling operation.
Nine people lost their lives in the illegal voyage to the United States, including a pregnant woman, and the 8-month-old fetus. The futures of the 16 survivors are still uncertain.
As mourners stared at two caskets symbolizing the deaths of children and adults just like them, many, like Isthe Mary, can't help but feel a mix of anger and grief. "My people, my people die," she exclaimed.
Ameis Desolomme is furious with the smugglers who packed around 30 people onto a small boat for the journey. Only eight were found in the water wearing life jackets.
"They should keep him in the jail for life to not have a chance to do that to people," said Desolomme.
One of the men pulled from the water last week off Boynton Beach is being charged with alien smuggling resulting in death.
Jimmy Metellus, 33, will make his first appearance before a U.S. magistrate on Wednesday. Originally, Metellus was to make his first appearance before Magistrate Judge Anne E. Vitunac on Monday, but it was delayed so that an interpreter who spoke Creole could be brought in for him.
"Today's federal criminal charges are the result of the tireless efforts of ICE agents, our DHS partners and the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate, identify and arrest those involved in the illicit and dangerous activity of human smuggling," said Anthony Mangione, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Miami. "ICE strongly discourages people from taking to the seas and attempting to illegally enter the United States through maritime means. Tragically, many have lost their lives while attempting this illegal and treacherous trip."
According to the arrest affidavit, Metellus was allowed to make the trip to the U.S. for free; in exchange he would pilot the boat. Metellus allegedly told investigators that the plan was to abandon the boat once it reached Miami. He said a man named "Shine" and three others were the actual organizers of the trip. He also reportedly told investigators he was trying to get to South Florida because he has seven children to support. Metellus, who is Hatian but has U.S. residency, said he lost his passport during one of last year's hurricanes that swept over Haiti.
The failed smuggling incident came to light last week after the Coast Guard received a call Wednesday afternoon from a boater who said he had pulled three people from the water. The survivors said their boat had been carrying about 30 people, including women and children when it capsized and sank about 15 miles east of Boynton Beach.
The Coast Guard launched an all out search and was able to locate the 16 survivors. Nine bodies were also recovered; two adult males, six adult females and a year old child. One of the women was eight months pregnant at the time of her death. The Medical Examiner's Office issued a separate death certificate for her fetus.
The Coast Guard searched more than 8,800 square miles for about 31 hours. The search area spanned from Boynton Beach to about 28 miles southeast of Port Canaveral, Fla. No other survivors, or bodies, were found nor was the boat that sank.
Gurlene Desir, who lives in the Bahamas, told
CBS4 that her twin 19-year-old daughters paid $3,000 apiece for seats on the ill-fated boat. Desir said her daughters could no longer live in the impoverished Haiti.
"Haiti no good," Desir said in broken English. "No job. No food. No security. Nothing. They look for a better life."
Desir said her daughters planned to rendezvous with family in Miami and begin that better life. Now, Desir is waiting for word on whether her daughters are alive or dead.
Immigrant advocate Cheryl Little said these deaths once again spotlight the lengths people will take to reach American shores.
Haitian activist Bob Jeune fears there will be more casualties because of the desperate situation in Haiti. "There is no food and no jobs." He's urging the Federal Government to grant temporary citizenship papers to the 30-thousand Haitians living in South Florida.
As the mourners sang the Star-Spangled Banner in Monday's vigil, they understood the desire to live in this country. The want the U.S. government to provide the migrants safe harbor, until Haiti is stabilized. Rickey Dukes said, "Those are people, those are human beings, those are God people you know, those are God people."
CBS4.COM's John MacLaughlan contributed to this report
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Burned Teen's Family Staying Positive
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
