The United States Coast Guard recently halted a 43-foot sailboat, named Stormy Weather, approximately 40 nautical miles south of Marathon in the Florida Keys. The vessel, carrying three individuals, was en route to Cuba without proper authorization.
According to The Miami Herald, which accessed a criminal complaint filed by Homeland Security Investigations agents, one of the passengers was identified as Miles Anthony Connors, a 41-year-old British citizen. Connors has a history of using aliases and has been deported multiple times since 2008. He also has an outstanding arrest warrant in Pennsylvania, though the current charges are unspecified. His legal records show previous encounters with immigration authorities and arrests for driving without a license.
The sailboat's captain was recognized as an American citizen born in Russia, though his name was not disclosed in the complaint. The boat is owned by a Canadian citizen who entered the United States legally in July on a B2 non-immigrant visa.
The investigation revealed that the trio set sail on Tuesday, August 19, leaving from Poncho's Fuel Dock in Boot Key Harbor (Marathon) around 10:30 a.m. Security camera footage and marina staff testimonies confirmed their departure. However, authorities have not clarified their intentions for traveling to Cuba.
The federal prosecutor has requested that Connors remain detained until his trial for illegal reentry after deportation, scheduled for September 5. His federal public defender has not yet commented on the case.
Just a month ago, an American citizen was apprehended in Miami following a bizarre theft incident that ended with a rental boat traveling from the Florida Keys to the shores of Cuba. Floyd Dean Devasier, a 63-year-old from Katy, Texas, faced charges of "renting or leasing with intent to defraud" after leaving the country on a rented 26.5-foot skiff from Beach Weekend Key West marina in Stock Island.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported that the boat was rented on Tuesday under strict conditions: compliance with maritime laws, no nighttime operation, and return before the end of business on Wednesday. Before setting off, Devasier purchased and filled an additional 20-gallon fuel tank, raising suspicions among marina staff. He had also stated he would dock the boat overnight at Front Street's 6800 block, but local business owners and boat owners claimed they never saw the vessel. Security cameras confirmed the boat never arrived there.
Frequently Asked Questions on US Coast Guard Interceptions
What was the sailboat Stormy Weather intercepted for?
The Stormy Weather was intercepted by the US Coast Guard while heading to Cuba without authorization.
Who is Miles Anthony Connors?
Miles Anthony Connors is a British citizen with a history of using aliases and multiple deportations, and he has an outstanding arrest warrant in Pennsylvania.
Why did the US Coast Guard stop the sailboat?
The Coast Guard stopped the sailboat because it was traveling towards Cuba without the necessary permissions.