San Juan, Puerto Rico. – A Dominican citizen has been charged with smuggling migrants during a trip in which a 3-year-old Haitian child died, and could face life in prison or the death penalty, the Federal Prosecutor in Puerto Rico announced on Wednesday.
The accused, Alcibades De Paz, was the captain of a boat carrying 39 migrants that left the Dominican Republic on December 23rd heading to the west coast of Puerto Rico, according to the indictment.
De Paz was in charge of the boat when officials from the Rapid Action United Forces of the Puerto Rico Police attempted to stop it, but the boat overturned.
Among the 39 undocumented immigrants was a 3-year-old child who was found unconscious in the sea and whose death was certified by doctors who attempted to revive him in the hospital.
A judge ordered De Paz’s detention until a future hearing. If found guilty, he could face life in prison or the death penalty, with a judge of the United States District Court on the island making the decision.
However, in Puerto Rico, its 1952 Constitution makes it clear that the death penalty is prohibited.
