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Traci Leann Culiver-Sánchez, a 60-year-old woman residing in Key West, Florida, has been arrested again and is facing new charges of theft, as part of an ongoing investigation related to an alleged fraudulent travel scheme to Cuba.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office confirmed the information last Thursday, detailing how, along with her husband Steven Carl Sánchez, 54, she allegedly defrauded multiple victims through two companies: Majestic Seas Charters and Majestic Seas Luxury Charters.
According to the authorities, Culiver-Sánchez posed as a travel agent, offering fake vacation packages, primarily to Cuba, as well as fishing excursions that ultimately never materialized.
Despite receiving the payments, the couple did not manage or fulfill the promised services, and in most cases, they also did not issue refunds.
The unfulfilled promise: "$4,000 for a trip that never happened"
One of the most notable cases was revealed by the sheriff's office: A group of people paid $4,000 each for a trip to Cuba scheduled for December 5, 2024.
The travelers were to meet at Miami International Airport, from where they would depart to the island.
However, Culiver-Sánchez and her husband arrived late to the meeting, which caused the group to miss their flight. Although an attempt was initially made to reschedule the itinerary, the trip was ultimately canceled without the victims recovering their money.
"Authorities reported that they sold fake vacation packages, including trips to Cuba, despite not being registered to offer travel services to a state designated as a terrorist state," the authorities said, as cited by WSVN.
This pattern of behavior, now under the scrutiny of investigators, is said to have been repeated with dozens of additional victims.
As the investigation progressed, more individuals came forward reporting that they had booked charter fishing trips that were also canceled without any kind of refund, further reinforcing the systematic nature of the fraudulent operations.
Initial charges and new indications
The initial arrests of Traci Culiver-Sánchez and Steven Carl Sánchez occurred earlier this year, when they were charged with grand theft and offering or selling travel services without being registered with the authorities, an accusation that was aggravated by the fact that the travel involved Cuba, a country designated by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Now, with her recent re-entry into the Monroe County jail last Wednesday, Culiver-Sánchez faces new theft charges related to the multiple reports from additional victims that have emerged since the start of the investigation.
A supposedly widespread and persistent scheme
Public information so far indicates that the events are not isolated, but rather part of a broader scheme.
The fact that the victims continue to appear suggests an operation that could have lasted for months or even years.
The use of two seemingly legitimate companies, with appealing trade names and a narrative of luxury -Majestic Seas- aims at a strategy designed to generate trust and attract customers with the promise of exclusive experiences, both in Cuba and South Florida.
“She was pocketing money while booking trips that never happened,” stated the Sheriff’s Office, in statements reported by Telemundo 51.
Legal context and regulatory framework
Offering travel services to destinations like Cuba without being properly registered with the U.S. authorities is considered a serious offense.
The inclusion of the Caribbean island on the list of state sponsors of terrorism adds an additional layer of regulation, oversight, and specific requirements.
In this case, the lack of registration not only violates trade laws but also further complicates the legal situation of the accused.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has emphasized that the investigation remains open and has urged possible victims to come forward.
The increase in complaints suggests that the number of affected individuals could be higher than initially estimated. For now, it has not been reported whether federal charges are anticipated or if the case will be transferred to other judicial instances.
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