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Bahamian Smuggler Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison
A Bahamian migrant smuggler has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a fatal capsizing that left four Haitian women dead.
Naaman Davis, 54, of Bimini, Bahamas, was sentenced to 168 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams in the Southern District of Florida.
Davis was found guilty of one count of migrant smuggling resulting in death and one count of bringing an aggravated felon into the United States. According to court documents, Davis was hired to drive a boat of migrants from the Bahamas to the United States on the evening of October 15, 2013.
During the voyage, Davis maintained a drug-induced high by smoking crack-cocaine from a pipe he had brought with him. When the vessel stalled approximately seven miles off the coast of Miami, Davis continued to smoke while everyone else bailed water. Eventually, the vessel capsized, trapping four Haitian women underneath.
Lodilla Escarment, Carmen Valeris, Kerline Mercy, and Woodline Alexis all died of drowning. Davis conceded through counsel that he had intended to use the money he was paid for the venture to buy more crack cocaine.
Five co-defendants in the case have previously been sentenced for their participation in the events, including George Lewis, who was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, Everton Jones, who was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment, Matthew Williams, who was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, and Sean Gaynor, who was sentenced to time served.
U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ICE-HSI and USCG. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Blackburn and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaime Raich.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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