Two Miami residents have admitted guilt in a federal case involving a conspiracy to smuggle 69 people into the United States by sea, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Court documents and statements reveal that Ezequiel Perez Benitez, 37, and Miguel Avoy, 36, took part in at least three separate attempts to bring individuals into the country illegally between July 2024 and March 2025. The scheme used “go-fast” boats departing from Miami-Dade County to reach Bahamian waters. On their return trips, these vessels were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (CBP-AMO) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) while still in U.S. waters.
The operation involved migrants from several countries, including China and Ecuador. In addition to bringing people across the border by boat, those involved also helped transport them within the United States after their unlawful entry.
A third defendant, Baisheng An—a Chinese national—pleaded guilty on June 9 to charges connected with both conspiracy and transportation of aliens. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested An during an investigation targeting this human smuggling network.
All individuals stopped at sea faced prosecution for illegal reentry or were returned to the Bahamas or handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further immigration actions.
Several other alleged co-conspirators face charges in related cases.
Miguel Avoy has received a sentence of 24 months in prison for his involvement. Ezequiel Perez Benitez is set for sentencing on October 30 at 10:30 a.m. in Miami; he could face up to ten years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine reaching $250,000.
United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida stated: “United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of HSI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.”
The investigation was led by HSI Miami with support from CBP-AMO and USCG Southeast Coast Guard District.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Tanner Stiehl is handling prosecution duties.
Additional details about this case are available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl as well as through court records found at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-cr-10027.
