Recently, a boat capsized off the coast of San Diego. The boat was allegedly involved in a human smuggling operation. Several people died in the crash, and now the captain has been charged. CBS News reports.
The captain, Antonio Hurtado, is facing federal charges including assault on a federal officer and attempting to bring in undocumented migrants at a place other than a point of entry. The captain was identified by some of the survivors of the crash.
The assault charges come from a report from a U.S. Border Patrol Agent. He alleges that Hurtado hit him in the head with his knee while he was shackling his ankle.
The boat that Hurtado was piloting was “severely overcrowded” and overturned under heavy seas. 33 people were pulled from the ocean and three of them died. All the survivors are in federal custody as material witnesses.
Hurtado is believed to be a U.S. citizen according to law enforcement, and passengers admitted to paying $15,000 to $18,000 to be smuggled into the U.S. according to the charges. Hurtado has not entered a plea in the case.
According to a lifeguard with the city of San Diego, seven water rescues and a cliff rescue were needed to get all the survivors. One of the injured had major trauma and three needed CPR at the scene.
Call or text (626) 709-2523 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
