Source: Office of United States Attorneys
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – February 22, 2024
SAN DIEGO – Charges unsealed today against Faustino Romero De La Cruz allege that he organized the attempted smuggling of multiple unauthorized immigrants by boat on April 10, 2022, which resulted in the tragic drowning deaths of three passengers.
Romero was arrested on February 21, 2024, in Santa Barbara. He made his first appearance in federal court in San Diego this afternoon.
According to court records, on April 10, 2022, human smugglers attempted to transport more than 10 unauthorized immigrants from Mexico into the United States aboard a cuddy-style boat. As the vessel approached the shore near the Ocean Beach Pier, it capsized with all passengers aboard. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement and other emergency response personnel, three victims drowned.
According to court records, Homeland Security agents identified Romero as a U.S.-based coordinator who, working with others, arranged for unauthorized immigrants to be smuggled into the United States by land and sea, and then collected thousands of dollars in smuggling fees before transporting them on to Northern California and elsewhere.
“Too many precious lives are needlessly lost in catastrophic incidents like this one,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Case after case demonstrates that smugglers are more interested in maximizing profits than safety, which all too often leads to tragic results. Never trust your life to a smuggler.”
“Maritime human smuggling has proven time and time again to be incredibly dangerous and often results in senseless claimed lives,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “While transnational criminal organizations seek to enrich themselves using the tactic, HSI is committed to using all means at our disposal to investigate and hold accountable those placing human beings at substantial risk of injury and death.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Miao and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Doolin.
DEFENDANTS Case Number 23cr2458-JES
Faustino Romero De La Cruz Age: 40 Santa Barbara, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Count 1: Conspiracy to Bring in Certain Aliens Other Than at Designated Port of Entry Resulting in Death – Title 8, U.S.C., Sec. 1324(a)(1)(A)(i), (v)(I), (a)(1)(B)(iv)
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, and $250,000 fine
Counts 2-4, 6: Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain – Title 8, U.S.C., Sec. 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii)
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine
Count 5: Conspiracy to Bring in Certain Aliens Other Than at
Designated Port of Entry – Title 8, U.S.C., Sec. 1324(a)(1)(A)(i), (v)(I), (a)(1)(B)(i)
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine
Count 7: Transportation of Certain Aliens – Title 8, U.S.C., Sec. 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii)
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison, a $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations – San Diego Marine Task Force
United States Border Patrol
United States Customs and Border Protection
United States Coast Guard
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Harbor Police Department
San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office
Homeland Security Investigations
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.