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The United States Coast Guard intercepted a 43-foot sailboat, identified as Stormy Weather, last Wednesday about 40 nautical miles south of Marathon, in the Florida Keys, with three people on board heading unauthorized to Cuba.
According to a report from The Miami Herald, which gained access to the criminal complaint filed by agents of Homeland Security Investigations, one of the occupants was Miles Anthony Connors, a 41-year-old British citizen, with a history of using aliases and multiple deportations since 2008.
Connors also has a pending arrest warrant in Pennsylvania, although the current charges were not specified. His court records reveal a history of interactions with immigration authorities and previous arrests for driving without a license.
The information from the Herald also states that the captain of the sailing boat was identified as a citizen of the United States born in Russia, whose name was not disclosed in the report.
The owner of the vessel is a Canadian citizen who legally entered the United States in July with a B2 non-immigrant visa.
According to the investigation, the trio set sail on Tuesday, August 19, from the dock and fueled up at Poncho, in Boot Key Harbor (Marathon), around 10:30 a.m.
Images from security cameras and testimonies from the marina confirmed their departure. However, the authorities did not specify the reasons why they planned to head to Cuba.
The federal prosecutor requested that Connors remain in custody until his trial for illegal reentry after deportation, which is scheduled for September 5. His federal public defender has not yet commented on the case.
Just a month ago, an American citizen was arrested in Miami after being involved in an unusual robbery case that ended with a rental boat sailing from the Florida Keys to the shores of Cuba.
Floyd Dean Devasier, 63 years old and a resident of Katy, Texas, was charged with "leasing or renting with the intention to defraud" after leaving the country aboard a 26.5-foot boat rented from Beach Weekend Key West marina, located in Stock Island.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the vessel was rented on Tuesday under strict conditions: to comply with maritime laws, not operate at night, and return it before the close of operations on Wednesday.
Before setting sail, he purchased and filled an additional 20-gallon fuel tank, which raised suspicions among the marina employees. He had also assured that he would leave the boat docked at 6800 Front Street for the night, but merchants and boat owners claimed they had not seen the vessel in that location. Security cameras confirmed that the boat never arrived there.
Frequently asked questions about maritime interceptions and illegal migration to Cuba
What happened to the sailboat intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard heading to Cuba?
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a 43-foot sailboat with three people on board heading unauthorized to Cuba. The incident occurred about 40 nautical miles south of Marathon in the Florida Keys. Among the occupants was Miles Anthony Connors, a British citizen with a history of deportations. The captain of the sailboat was a U.S. citizen born in Russia, and the owner of the vessel is Canadian.
Who is Miles Anthony Connors and why is he relevant in this case?
Miles Anthony Connors is a 41-year-old British citizen with a history of using aliases and multiple deportations. Connors has an outstanding arrest warrant in Pennsylvania and is facing trial for illegal reentry after deportation. His record includes prior interactions with immigration authorities and arrests for minor offenses.
Why do some people attempt to reach Cuba illegally from the U.S.?
The reasons for attempting to reach Cuba illegally are not always clear and can vary. In some cases, they may be motivated by illegal activities or attempts to evade U.S. authorities. However, it is important to note that reports do not always specify the reasons behind these attempts, as was the case with the intercepted sailboat.
What happened in the case of Floyd Dean Devasier?
Floyd Dean Devasier, an American citizen, was arrested after renting a boat and heading to Cuba without authorization. He was charged with "renting or leasing with intent to defraud" and was detained in Miami. This is not his first incident of this nature, as he has a criminal record for drug offenses and a similar case in 2019.
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