May 20, 2009 12:43 pm US/Eastern
Haitian Man Charged In Smuggling Attempt In Court
Jimmy Metellus Could Face The Death Penalty
Click Here To Read Criminal Complaint Against Jimmy Metellus
WEST PALM BEACH (CBS4) ―
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Jimmy Metellus has been charged with alien smuggling involving death.
U.S. Attorney's Office/CBS
Wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and flip flops, the man accused of piloting a boat used in a deadly smuggling attempt last week made his first appearance in court.
During the brief appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anne E. Vitunac, Jimmy Metellus, 33, was informed that since people died during the smuggling attempt he could face the death penalty if convicted. He was also appointed a public defender and ordered to be held without bond.
According to the arrest affidavit, Metellus made a deal with the men who organized the trip, his passage would be free if he piloted the boat. Metellus reportedly 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. Metellus, who is Haitian but has U.S. residency, said he left the U.S. in 2007 for medical treatment in Haiti. He said he wanted to get to South Florida to look for work because he has nine children to support. Metellus, who separated from his wife four years ago, relied on family members to survive in Haiti.
The failed smuggling incident came to light last week after the Coast Guard received a call 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.
Metellus next court appearance will be May 29th; he will be arraigned on June 3rd.
Source: The Palm Beach Post
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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