A federal judge in Miami sentenced the Cuban Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, 26 years old, to seven and a half years in prison for her involvement in a human trafficking scheme that resulted in the death of 16 migrants from the island in November 2022, reported the Department of Justice.
The woman, who was in the U.S. illegally, had conspired to smuggle 18 Cubans into the country via a boat trip that ended in tragedy.
Dominguez-Nieves pleaded guilty on January 21, 2025 to conspiracy for human trafficking and related charges; however, sentencing was scheduled for this April 11.
According to the prosecutors, in October 2022, Dominguez-Nieves, along with an accomplice, organized the illegal transportation of migrants from Cuba to the shores of Florida.
The accused collected over $11,500 from families in South Florida of the migrants who were to be transported, money that she then sent to her accomplice in Cuba.
On November 16, 2022, the fishing boat capable of carrying eight people, but which was carrying 18 migrants, left from Playa Jaimanitas.
The vessel sank approximately 30 miles after departure, resulting in the deaths of 16 people, including children and teenagers.
Only two survivors managed to escape, and the bodies of four victims were recovered from the sea. The cause of death was drowning, and authorities reported that the boat did not have life jackets, and its captain lacked experience in maneuvering the vessel.
Federal Judge Beth Bloom imposed a sentence that exceeds the recommendation of the federal sentencing guidelines, considering the severity of the crime.
The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) of the Department of Homeland Security, with the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard, the Border Patrol, the Monroe County Coroner's Office, and the Highlands County Sheriff's Office.
This case is part of the national initiative "Operation Take Back America," aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Human Trafficking Convictions and Cuban Migration
Why was Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves sentenced?
Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for her involvement in a human trafficking scheme that resulted in the death of 16 Cuban migrants in November 2022. The sentence was imposed by a federal judge in Miami, who considered the seriousness of the crime when setting a penalty higher than that recommended by federal guidelines.
What happened during the shipwreck of the fishing boat carrying the Cuban migrants?
The fishing boat, designed for eight people but carrying 18 migrants, sank approximately 30 miles after departing from Playa Jaimanitas, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals, including children and teenagers. The vessel did not have life jackets, and the captain lacked the experience to maneuver it properly.
What was Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves' role in human trafficking?
Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves conspired to smuggle 18 Cubans into the United States through a dangerous boat journey. She raised over $11,500 from the families of the migrants in South Florida and sent the money to her accomplice in Cuba, who organized the illegal transportation from the island to the shores of Florida.
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