5 Arrested After Migrant Boat Tragedy Off San Diego Coast

Five Mexican nationals are facing charges after a small boat carrying more than a dozen people overturned near the shores of San Diego On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of California reported that an incident resulted in the deaths of three passengers, among whom was a 14-year-old boy from India.

Following the human smuggling incident, the boy's parents along with two more individuals were admitted to the hospital, according to prosecutors. confirmed In a press statement, nine additional migrants were reported as missing from the vessel and were believed to have perished; however, officials subsequently discovered eight of these individuals in Chula Vista, approximately 30 miles distant from Del Mar, where the boat had been spotted. Authorities mentioned that a 10-year-old girl from India, who is the brother’s sibling, continues to be unaccounted for.

"The tragic drownings of these children starkly illustrate the callousness with which human traffickers view the consequences of their lethal trade," stated U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.

The U.S. Border Patrol stated on Tuesday that there were initially 16 people onboard, several of whom are still unaccounted for.

Jesus Ivan Rodriguez-Leyva and Julio Cesar Zuniga-Luna were arrested on Monday at the beach where the overturned boat washed ashore, according to prosecutors. They were charged with Bringing in Aliens Resulting in Death and Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated on Tuesday evening that she plans to ask the Department of Justice to pursue capital punishment.

Noem stated in a release that their fatalities were not just preventable but were directly caused by the greed and apathy of smugglers who took advantage of these individuals," she commented partly. "According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, alien smuggling activities leading to death are considered capital offenses and can carry the death penalty. Additionally, as per the Federal Death Penalty Act, anyone who deliberately engages in actions aware they might lead to someone losing their life could face execution.

According to prosecutors, three additional suspects—Melissa Jennelle Cota, Gustavo Lara, and Sergio Rojas-Fregoso—were apprehended late Monday evening following an investigation conducted by Border Patrol agents in Chula Vista. These agents had spotted a vehicle near a beach in Del Mar and decided to investigate. The individual driving the initial vehicle managed to escape; however, officials discovered two more cars linked to the case and subsequently rescued the undocumented immigrants who were missing.

Cota, Lara and Rojas-Fregoso were charged with Transportation of Illegal Aliens. Prosecutors said Rojas-Fregoso had been previously deported on Dec. 19, 2023.

Initially, it was not evident whether the suspects had legal representatives capable of speaking up for them.

It was unclear where the boat was coming from before it flipped about 35 miles north of the Mexico border, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris Sappey told The Associated Press. He said similar vessels were commonly used by smugglers.

In 2023, eight people were killed when two boats capsized off the San Diego coast.