Jey Gonzalez-Diaz was released on bail after his indictment and was assigned a lawyer. He faces federal charges that allege failure to report transporting more than $10,000 into the United States; if convicted, he could face a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years in prison, or both penalties.
The case centers on an incident on Sunday morning, September 7, 2025, during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection of the Royal Caribbean International ship Rhapsody of the Seas as it returned to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Barbados. The ship left San Juan on August 31. As passengers disembarked near the port, Gonzalez-Diaz jumped overboard to evade an inspection.
A passerby on a jet ski rescued him and brought him ashore, where authorities apprehended him. Surveillance video appeared to show his recovery from the water and the mobilization of officials, The Independent reported. CBP officers later detained him near the Capitol of Puerto Rico.
At the time of his detention, he carried $14,600 in cash, a backpack, a handbag, two mobile devices, and five pieces of identification. One document was in the name of his brother, who was incarcerated for drug trafficking and weapons possession, according to Ouest-France. Records checks showed that Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz had been in federal custody since January. He had also booked his stay under a false name, registering as Jeremy Diaz. He later told investigators that the person named on the documents was his brother.
Investigators said the criminal complaint alleged he tried to evade federal currency reporting requirements, which mandated declaring amounts over $10,000 upon entry to the United States. The complaint stated he also owed $16,710.24 to Royal Caribbean, almost all tied to casino and gambling expenses.
Royal Caribbean Group said it was cooperating with investigators as the case proceeded. The surveillance footage formed part of the evidence as Gonzalez-Diaz faced the monetary reporting charge and the cruise-line debt described in the complaint.
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