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Two Cuban Nationals Plead Guilty to Illegal Immigrant Smuggling in South Florida

MIAMI – A federal judge in Miami has found two Cuban nationals guilty in a case involving the smuggling of undocumented migrants from the Bahamas to the United States.

Court records indicate that on October 24, 2024, Yordany Capote-Leon, 31, and Yuniel Cabrera Piloto, 44, departed from the U.S. toward Bahamian waters in a cuddy cabin-style boat. Authorities say the two men picked up 18 individuals and attempted to return with them to the U.S.

The vessel was tracked by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Manowar, which observed the activity and followed the boat as it reentered U.S. waters near Key Largo, Florida. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers aboard an Air and Marine Operations vessel attempted to stop the boat, but the operators did not comply. The vessel eventually halted after warning shots were fired.

According to law enforcement, the 18 individuals onboard, apart from Capote-Leon and Piloto, were Ecuadorian nationals without legal status to enter the U.S. Authorities also reported that three of the passengers—identified as Jorge Fabian Albarrasin Cabrera, Marcelo Patricio Pesantez-Merchan, and Juan Carlos Villa Arpi—had previously been removed from the United States.

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The five men were brought ashore to face federal charges. All have since pleaded guilty. The remaining individuals were returned to the Bahamas.

On March 4, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore sentenced Capote-Leon to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

Piloto entered a guilty plea on March 6 before Magistrate Judge Ellen F. D’Angelo. The plea was formally accepted on April 4 by Judge Moore. Piloto is scheduled to be sentenced on May 8 and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard’s 7th District. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl.

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