On January 21, Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, 26, of Sebring, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States, a crime that led to a deadly boat sinking off the coast of Florida.
Court documents and testimony revealed that Dominguez-Nieves, who entered the U.S. illegally, played a central role in a human smuggling operation beginning in November 2022. She collected at least $11,500 from the families of Cuban migrants seeking to reach the U.S., promising them safe passage. After gathering the funds, Dominguez-Nieves transferred the money to her co-conspirator in Cuba, who organized the transport of the migrants.
The migrants, including children as young as nine months old, were loaded onto a small, overcrowded fishing vessel with no life jackets. The captain of the boat was reportedly inexperienced, and the vessel soon sank about 30 miles into its journey to the U.S. Only two survivors made it to safety, while 16 others—including several children—drowned. Four of the victims’ bodies were recovered at sea.
The tragedy highlighted the dangers of human smuggling operations, which often prioritize profit over human lives. In this case, the victims ranged from infants to teenagers, including two 16-year-olds.
Dominguez-Nieves now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years behind bars. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 11 at 11:00 a.m. in Miami.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael S. Davis for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Margelot of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service announced the plea, stressing the gravity of the case. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Border Patrol, and several local agencies, including the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office and Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller is prosecuting the case.
For further updates and court documents, visit the Southern District of Florida’s website at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
