Immigration officials said they took custody of a Salvadoran accused of illegally piloting a boat that capsized in New York Harbor this month and killed a mother and her baby.
The Department of Homeland Security said Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, 46, was living in the U.S. illegally when he captained the doomed vessel near Liberty Island on Aug. 8.
Sarah Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia, died after the boat flipped over during the paid tour, authorities said.
“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 criminal complaint alleged that Mr. Hernandez-Umana tried to accelerate the boat through a swell until a large wave overtook the vessel’s bow and caused it to capsize.
Police said emergency crews pulled all passengers from the water, but two were rushed to a hospital in life-threatening condition. Ms. Sanchez and Antonella died while receiving treatment.
Federal prosecutors accused Mr. Hernandez-Umana of disregarding safety regulations by overloading the boat with 14 passengers as opposed to its maximum capacity of 10.
Additionally, the court filing said the captain did not stock the boat with any life vests that could be worn by infants.
Mr. Hernandez-Umana allegedly told Ms. Sanchez and her husband, Andres Garcia, that they could hold their baby throughout the voyage to compensate for the lack of an appropriate life vest. Mr. Garcia survived the disaster.
The suspect is also charged with piloting the boat without the required certifications and inspections from the U.S. Coast Guard.
“Illegal charter operations gamble with human life, and in this case, the alleged conduct led to an unthinkable tragedy,” said Josh Packer, assistant director of the Coast Guard Investigative Service. “Working with our federal, state and local partners, we will continue to investigate those who ignore passenger vessel safety laws and put the public in danger.”
Homeland Security officials said Mr. Hernandez-Umana crossed illegally into Texas in 2007 after he lied about being an American citizen.
The suspect was allowed out of jail on a $50,000 bond following his initial court hearing this month, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement has since taken custody of him.
