Second Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal Haitian Smuggling Attempt

ABC 25 -
A Haitian national who was the captain of a boat full of migrants that capsized during an illegal smuggling operation last year has pleaded guilty to human smuggling.
Jimmy Metellus was one of 16 survivors rescued from the water off Boynton Beach in May 2009 after a boat carrying about 30 migrants capsized.
According to a June 16 plea agreement, the 33-year-old pleaded guilty to charges that include nine counts of smuggling resulting in death.

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 16 migrants, but nine others died, including a 1-year-old girl. A fetus was also removed from one of the pregnant women who died, and the medical examiner’s office issued a separate death certificate.
Federal authorities said Metellus and another Haitian national, Jean Nelson, took turns captaining the boat.
Metellus, whose trial was scheduled for October, could be sentenced to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 3.
Nelson, 33, plead guilty to similar charges earlier this month. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 20.