Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Bredariol (619) 546-8419 and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari (619) 546-8402
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – August 5, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Miguel Ojeda Agundez, captain of a drug-smuggling boat that rammed a Coast Guard vessel during a dangerous high-speed chase off the shores of San Diego, was sentenced in federal court today to 194 months in prison.
Ojeda Agundez is the last of four defendants to be sentenced in connection with the event, which occurred in August 2020 off the shores of San Diego. All four defendants were charged in a 15-count federal indictment with trafficking close to 500 pounds of methamphetamine; failure to stop for the Coast Guard; and assault on five Coast Guard officers who were injured as a result of the ramming. Ojeda Agundez ultimately pleaded guilty to all 15 counts.
At today’s sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino described the defendant’s conduct as “egregious” and causing “immeasurable harm to the community.” She noted that members of the Coast Guard are working hard every day “to protect the community that they are sworn to serve…we have tremendous respect and admiration and gratitude to those who serve this country.”
The other defendants – Arturo Velasquez Soto, Luis Parada Reyes, and Juan Diaz Hernandez – were previously sentenced by Judge Sammartino to 14 years, 10 years, and just under nine years in prison, respectively.
On August 8, 2020, the defendants were detected by the United States Coast Guard Cutter FORREST REDNOUR traveling northbound off the shores of San Diego in the middle of the night. When five Coast Guard officers went to intercept the vessel, Ojeda Agundez, who was at the helm, aggressively turned the go-fast vessel towards the Coast Guard and rammed a Coast Guard smallboat, causing damage and injury to Coast Guard officers. The defendants then led the Coast Guard on a high-speed chase on the open water.
As the vessel continued closer to shore, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air & Marine Operations took over the pursuit. The defendants’ vessel attempted to ram the CBP vessel as well, but officers were able to bring the defendants’ vessel to a stop. When law enforcement boarded the vessel, they discovered ice chests filled with close to 500 pounds of methamphetamine. The defendants were brought to shore and arrested, where the investigation was continued by special agents with Homeland Security Investigations’ Marine Task Force.
In 2012, a similar sequence of events resulted in the death of Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III. In that case, a drug-laden panga intentionally rammed a Coast Guard smallboat off the coast of Santa Barbara, ejecting Chief Petty Officer Horne and another officer into the water. Chief Petty Officer Horne was struck by a propeller in the head and fatally injured.
“This case is a reminder of the heroism, bravery, and professionalism that Coast Guard officials employ on every mission to safeguard the United States from drug smugglers,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Violence against the Coast Guard will not be tolerated and will be aggressively prosecuted by this office.” Grossman thanked the prosecution team and investigating agencies for their excellent work on this case.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first time the lives of our Coast Guard members have been threatened by drug smugglers,” said Rear Admiral Andrew Sugimoto, commander, Coast Guard District 11. “Senior Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III was killed during a counter-smuggling operation. Those individuals responsible for taking his life and threatening the lives of other Coast Guard members were held accountable. As a service, we do not take these actions lightly and I trust the decision of the courts to continue to hold these criminals responsible for their continued disregard for life.”
“This case highlights the dangers of maritime drug smuggling,” said HSI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “HSI is grateful for its federal, state and local law enforcement partners and servicemembers who despite the dangers, continue to deny transnational criminal organizations the opportunity to carry out their illegal drug smuggling activities. HSI will continue to aggressively investigate criminal organizations who smuggle by sea, air or land.”
DEFENDANTS Case Number 20cr2509-JLS
Miguel Ojeda Agundez Age: 26 Mexico
Arturo Velasquez Soto Age: 44 Mexico
Jose Luis Parada Reyes Age: 53 Mexico
Juan Diaz Hernandez Age: 55 Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Counts 1-3 (All Defendants)
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on Board a Vessel –
Title 46, U.S.C., Section 70503, 70506(b)
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine Onboard a Vessel; Aiding and Abetting –
Title 46, U.S.C., Section 70503, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine
Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Intended for Unlawful Importation –
Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 959, 960, 963
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine
Counts 4, 6-15 (Defendant Ojeda Agundez only)
Failure To Heave To
Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2237
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
Assault on a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon
Title 18, U.S.C., Section 111(a)(1)
Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
Assault with Intent to Commit Any Felony
Title 18, U.S.C., Section 113(a)(2)
Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
Count 5 (Defendants Ojeda Agundez and Velasquez Soto only)
Failure To Heave To
Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2237, Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2
Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine
AGENCIES
United States Coast Guard
Customs and Border Protection
Homeland Security Investigations