Assistant U.S. Attorneys C. Seth Askins (619) 546-6692 and Lyndzie M. Carter (619) 546-8780
SUMMARY OF PRESS RELEASE – April 6, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Antonio Hurtado pleaded guilty in federal court today to charges stemming from a maritime smuggling incident on May 2, 2021 in which three people aboard the vessel he was piloting died.
During a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo, Hurtado admitted that on the evening of May 1, 2021, and the following morning, he piloted a ship from Mexico to the United States. On board the ship were 32 individuals who had agreed to pay between $15,000 and $18,000 each to be brought illegally to the United States, including three unaccompanied minors.
Hurtado admitted in his plea agreement that during the voyage he repeatedly used controlled substances, to the point that he lost consciousness on at least one occasion, and the ship spun around for more than a week. hour until the other people on board are able to wake him up. At approximately 6:00 a.m., the vessel suffered an engine failure and the defendant was unable to restart the engine. The weather that morning was rainy with heavy ocean swells and the ship began to drift towards land until it ran aground about 50 meters from shore near the Point Loma tidal pools.
As the boat was hit by the waves and began to list on its side, the defendant jumped into the water and headed for shore, abandoning the vessel and its 32 occupants. The ship quickly parted from the pounding of the waves, sending the individuals on board – who had almost all hidden below decks and in the cabin at the direction of the accused – into the cold choppy water. National Park Service personnel, along with many civilians who were in the area, immediately began trying to help, and various agencies immediately responded to conduct a massive rescue operation. Sadly, three of the people – identified as Mexican citizens Maricela Hernandez-Sanchez, Victor Perez-Degollado and Maria Eugenia Chavez-Segovia – died as a result of the incident.
After being identified as the ship’s pilot, Hurtado was taken to a local hospital for treatment and then transported to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station for treatment. Hurtado admitted that while there he assaulted a Border Patrol agent by hitting him in the head with his knee as the agent attempted to apply an ankle restraint.
The trial was scheduled to begin on May 3, 2021, one year and one day from the date of the incident. Instead, the defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted smuggling of illegal aliens resulting in death (each carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison); three counts of attempting to smuggle illegal aliens for profit (which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years); and one count of assault on a federal officer.
“It was a horrific tragedy that should never have happened,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Due to the incomprehensible and astounding recklessness of the defendant on that terrible day, three people died and many others had to be rescued from rough seas. The defendant’s boat was filled with far too many people , and he then repeatedly used illegal drugs to the point of passing out. When the boat capsized and the passengers desperately tried to survive, the accused swam to safety, leaving them all behind. a shocking and relentless series of events. Without the heroism of the stunned witnesses who sprang into action, and that of the first responders, others would have died. I have said this many times, and I will say it again: never trust a smuggler. They only care about the money. They don’t care about your safety. It’s not worth risking your life.” Grossman thanked the chase team and all private citizens and members of local agencies and federal authorities who participated in the rescue efforts on that terrible day, as well as those who investigated the case to seek justice.
“A callous disregard for the safety of migrants is a common trait among smugglers,” said Brandon Tucker, director of air and sea operations in San Diego. “Too often, these dangerous decisions have fatal consequences. I have made it my mission to track down smugglers who put the lives of migrants in danger.
“For unscrupulous smugglers to put lives at risk to support their criminal activity is reprehensible,” said Chad Plantz, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego. “These deaths could have been avoided had it not been for this individual who was more concerned with his own greed than the safety of others. HSI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners and using our unique investigative authorities to bring to justice those responsible for horrific tragedies like this.
Hurtado is scheduled for sentencing on July 1, 2022 at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino.
RESPONDENT Case number 21-cr-01615
Antonio Hurtado Age: 40 San Diego, California
FEES SUMMARY
Attempted smuggling of illegal aliens resulting in death and complicity
Title 8, USC, section 1324(a)(1)(A)(i), (v)(II) and (a)(1)(B)(iv)
Maximum penalty: life in prison and $250,000 fine
Attempt to bring in illegal aliens for financial gain and complicity
Title 8, USC, Section 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii) and Title 18, USC, Section 2
Maximum sentence: 15 years in prison and $250,000 fine
Assault on a federal officer
Title 8, USC, Section 111(a)(1) and (b)
Maximum sentence: 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
United States Border Patrol
Air and Maritime Operations (CBP)
National Park Service
United States Coast Guard
San Diego Port Police Department
San Diego Fire Department
San Diego Lifeguard Services
