Prosecutors say George Bridell Rolle, 26, used a 26-foot speedboat in an attempt to smuggle a group of Haitians, Jamaicans and Bahamians from the Bahamas to the United States on April 21. The boat capsized about 25 miles off Fort Lauderdale and was spotted by a private vessel with five people clinging to the overturned hull.
Later, the body of Rolnique Metayer, 35, of Haiti was found floating nearby. Yves Jean, 40, of Haiti is missing and presumed dead, along with a 42-year-old man from Jamaica whom officials have identified only as John.
Federal prosecutors would not say how much they think Rolle was paid.
Rolle is charged with five counts of alien smuggling for profit and one count of alien smuggling resulting in death.
He is being held on $250,000 bond but has not entered a plea. His attorney, Roberto Stanziale, declined to comment Tuesday.
Source: Associated Press
