Fermín Montilla, Bringing Aliens to U.S. at Undesignated Port, Puerto Rico, 2022

Fermín Montilla, 45, a Dominican national, has pleaded guilty to his role in a human smuggling venture that resulted in the deaths of 11 migrants. Montilla, who was involved in a maritime human smuggling operation, knowingly brought 48 persons to the United States unlawfully on or about the evening of May 12, 2022.

The defendant’s actions caused the deaths of 11 of those people, prompting charges of bringing aliens to the United States at a place other than a designated port of entry resulting in death. Montilla faces a statutory maximum penalty of life in prison and is expected to be sentenced later this year.

The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Angela Buckner of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and U.S. Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Helena Daniel for the District of Puerto Rico.

The investigation is being conducted under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program, a joint partnership between the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The ECT program focuses on human smuggling networks that may present particular national security or public safety risks, or present grave humanitarian concerns.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico, and Special Agent in Charge Rebecca González-Ramos of HSI San Juan made the announcement.

The case highlights the dangers and risks associated with human smuggling operations, which often result in devastating consequences for those involved. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to dismantle these networks and bring those responsible to justice.

The involvement of law enforcement agencies, including HSI San Juan, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, underscores the complexity and severity of the issue.

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