A man who piloted a boat that crashed near Point Loma during a human-smuggling operation, leading to the deaths of three people and injuries to more than two dozen others, was sentenced Friday to 18 years in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Seth Askins said Hurtado made a number of decisions that increased the risk to the boat's occupants, including piloting the vessel during stormy weather in a bid to avoid detection by authorities.
The prosecutor said Hurtado also used drugs during the journey, which caused him to lose consciousness while at the wheel. Prosecutors say the migrants had to wake him up after the boat traveled aimlessly in circles for more than an hour. When the engine died, Askins said Hurtado did not call authorities for help despite some of the migrants begging him to do so.
When the boat capsized, the prosecutor said Hurtado was the first to jump into the water, leaving the migrants behind.The prosecutor also alleged that Hurtado's assault on the Border Patrol agent was committed with"no logical explanation" as had no chance of escape from the Border Patrol station where he was being cuffed. Askins alleged Hurtado did it,"out of spite because he was mad that he got caught.
Hurtado made a statement to the court, in which he said he was"deeply sorry" to the families of those who lost their lives. Hurtado said he knew the pain of having a family member die due to losing his brother.This article tagged under:
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