- ICE arrested Hernandez-Umana after an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service confirmed his unlawful presence in the U.S.
- Hernandez-Umana faces state charges, including 13 counts of reckless endangerment, according to the NYPD.
- The boat capsized in NYC harbor, resulting in the tragic deaths of a mother and infant.
Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, 46, was arrested by ICE following a tragic boat capsizing incident near the Statue of Liberty that claimed the lives of Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia. The boat, a Yamaha AR210, was reportedly over capacity with 14 people aboard when it capsized.3
According to a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York, Hernandez was piloting the vessel without the necessary licenses. He faces two federal counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death, in addition to 13 counts of reckless endangerment at the state level, as confirmed by the New York Police Department.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Hernandez, an El Salvador national, entered the U.S. illegally in 2007, falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen. Following an investigation by the Coast Guard Investigative Service, he was detained by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations.1
Hernandez was released on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond with conditions prohibiting him from operating any boats. The incident has raised serious concerns about boating safety regulations and the enforcement of immigration laws.
The baby’s father, Andres Garcia, survived the disaster, highlighting the tragic impact on the family involved.
“The arrest followed a Coast Guard Investigative Service probe that confirmed Hernandez-Umana's unlawful presence in the U.S., leading to his detention by ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations. He now faces state charges, including 13 counts of reckless endangerment, according to the NYPD.”
