A Cuban citizen was sentenced to a year and a half in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after being found guilty of human trafficking by a federal district judge in Miami.
Rafael Rodríguez Hernández, 35 years old, was arrested on September 29, 2024, after being caught by officers from the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while transporting 27 people in his vessel from the Bahamas to U.S. territory, the Department of Justice reported on Friday in a statement on its website.
During the operation, CBP agents confirmed that all individuals, except for Hernández, were unauthorized foreign nationals attempting to enter the U.S., and five of them were Ecuadorian citizens who had been previously deported.
Coast Guard (USCG) officials transported Hernández and the five Ecuadorians to shore to face criminal charges, while the other 22 foreigners were returned to the Bahamas.
In January of this year, Hernández admitted his guilt before a court for human trafficking.
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Miami investigated the case, in collaboration with CBP and the 7th District of the USCG. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant US Attorney Tanner Stiehl.
Hernández's sentencing is part of the efforts of U.S. authorities to curb human trafficking at land and maritime borders, an endeavor that has intensified since January, following the implementation of stricter immigration policies by the Donald Trump administration.
The involvement of Cuban citizens in human trafficking networks towards the North American country is a recurring issue. This month, Yaquelín Domínguez Nieves, 26 years old, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after her involvement in a human trafficking scheme that resulted in the death of 16 migrants from Cuba in November 2022.
Others two Cubans were found guilty for their involvement in a human smuggling operation in Caribbean waters in October 2024.
On March 4, a federal district judge in Miami sentenced Yordany Capote León, 31 years old, to three years and one month in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Meanwhile, Yuniel Cabrera Piloto, 44 years old, faces a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison, in addition to another three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for May 8 in Miami.
At the beginning of this month, the West Texas District Attorney's Office announced that Humberto Yosvany Arriola Rivero, a 30-year-old Cuban citizen, was convicted of conspiracy for human trafficking and sexual assault of a migrant in a safe house in El Paso, crimes for which he will spend nearly a decade behind bars in federal prison.
Frequently asked questions about Cubans involved in human trafficking in the U.S.
Why was Rafael Rodríguez Hernández convicted in the United States?
Rafael Rodríguez Hernández was sentenced for human trafficking after being caught transporting 27 people in his vessel from the Bahamas to the U.S. without legal entry authorization.
What measures is the United States implementing to curb human trafficking?
The United States has intensified its immigration policies, especially under the administration of Donald Trump, with the aim of curbing human trafficking and illegal immigration across land and maritime borders, through mass arrests and deportations.
What consequences do those involved in human trafficking face in the U.S.?
Those involved in human trafficking, such as Rafael Rodríguez Hernández, face prison sentences and supervised release, in addition to potential fines. Sentences vary according to the severity and number of individuals involved.
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