A gentleman identified as Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, who was a passenger on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship near the Port of San Juan, has been charged with a federal crime. The man allegedly leapt from the ship to avoid settling a gambling debt to the tune of over $16,000, according to reliable sources.
Reports indicate that Gonzalez-Diaz embarked on the Rhapsody of the Seas at the Port of San Juan on August 31, as per a criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The ship made its return from Barbados when Gonzalez-Diaz made his aquatic escape around 9:15 a.m. local time, during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection, as stated by the criminal complaint.
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A bystander on a jet ski helped Gonzalez-Diaz to shore, a moment captured on surveillance footage. Gonzalez-Diaz was later found near the Puerto Rico Capitol Building by CBP officers. He had $14,600 in cash, two phones, and five IDs.
The criminal complaint accuses Gonzalez-Diaz of attempting to circumvent monetary reporting requirements when entering the United States. According to the complaint, Gonzalez-Diaz told officers he jumped ship because he feared he would be charged with duties for the currency he was carrying.
Upon further investigation, the cruise line informed investigators that Gonzalez-Diaz, booked under the name Jeremy Diaz, owed them $16,710.24. The majority of this debt was linked to casino and gaming expenses.
Additionally, checks on Gonzalez-Diaz’s multiple identifications revealed that a Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz has been in federal custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, since January. Jey Gonzalez-Diaz maintains that this is his brother. His flippancy came to light when he was asked for his full name, to which he responded, “If you guys were good at your job, you would know that.”
Gonzalez-Diaz was later released on bail, according to local media reports. If convicted, he could face a fine up to $250,000, a maximum five-year prison sentence, or both. As of now, his legal representation status remains unclear.
This is a tale of a cruise ship, gambling debts, and a daring leap into the sea, which raises important questions about maritime law, international finance, and the lengths some people will go to avoid the consequences of their actions.