Boat pilot arrested on immigration charges after fatal New York Harbor capsizing
U.S. immigration officials detained the speedboat operator who caused a capsizing near the Statue of Liberty that killed a mother and her infant, citing illegal entry and pending criminal charges.
U.S. immigration authorities have taken into custody Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, the 46-year-old operator of a speedboat that capsized during a Statue of Liberty tour on Aug. 8, killing a 5-month-old girl and her mother. Hernandez-Umana, a citizen of El Salvador, is being held at an ICE detention facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, while he faces federal criminal charges of causing the deaths through misconduct or neglect.
Prosecutors say the pilot was not licensed by the Coast Guard, ignored basic safety rules and used a friend’s vessel for an illegally chartered, overcrowded trip. The 21-foot Yamaha AR210 was carrying 14 passengers, exceeding its 10-person capacity, when it swamped after a U-turn in choppy water. Investigators noted the infant was not provided a life preserver, as required by federal regulations.
"Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.
The operator allegedly entered the United States in 2007 by falsely claiming citizenship to a border officer. He was arrested after being released on bail for the criminal case. Hernandez-Umana’s lawyer declined to comment. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 9.