WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A second body of a Haitian was found near the Florida coast Tuesday just hours after a ship captain accused of smuggling illegal immigrants made his court appearance.
Three others who were believed to be on the ship were missing, authorities said.
At least 28 men and six women, who paid $350 each to get to the United States via the Bahamas, were abandoned on a sandbar 100 yards offshore near Jupiter Inlet early Monday, authorities said.
Addison Hepburn, 44, of Freeport, Bahamas, could face up to life in prison or the death penalty for the smuggling because passenger Anne Benette Dorsonne, 25, of Port-au-Prince, drowned as she tried to reach shore.
Hepburn has admitted to the smuggling operation, said Paul Miller of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Another body, believed to be that of a Haitian immigrant in his 30s who was aboard the boat, was found Tuesday by a fisherman about a mile north of Jupiter Inlet, Miller said.
Hepburn and four Haitians held as witnesses against him told authorities that a second boat had carried some of the Haitians. Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard officials continued to look for it Tuesday.
Hepburn had no prior smuggling arrests, said U.S. Border Patrol spokesman Art Bullock. Authorities said Hepburn told them he was to be paid $3,000 upon his return to the Bahamas.