Cruise Passenger Allegedly Jumps Overboard to Avoid $16,000 Gambling Debt

Incident Overview

A passenger on the Royal Caribbean ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, reportedly jumped into the ocean to escape paying a gambling debt amounting to $16,000. This event occurred during the ship’s voyage to Barbados, where the individual accumulated substantial losses in the ship’s casino.

The Escape Attempt

The ship docked back at port on a Sunday morning. Around 9 am local time, while the ship was undergoing routine disembarkation and US Customs and Border Protection inspections, the passenger, identified as Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, took a drastic step and jumped overboard in an apparent effort to evade law enforcement and debt collection.

Surveillance footage captured the moment a jet ski operator retrieved Gonzalez-Diaz from the water, and he was subsequently brought ashore. Shortly after, a US Customs officer located him near the Capitol of Puerto Rico. Upon searching him, they found $14,600 in cash along with five counterfeit identification cards.

Complicated Identity and Investigation

Investigations revealed that Gonzalez-Diaz had not booked his cruise under his real name but used the alias Jeremy Diaz. Further inquiry uncovered the use of multiple false identities, including Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz. Records show that an individual with that name has been held in federal custody in Guaynabo since January; Gonzalez-Diaz claimed this person to be his brother.

When questioned about his reason for jumping overboard, Gonzalez-Diaz said he did so to avoid declaring the large amount of cash he had, fearing he would face taxation. He admitted he did not want to report the currency because of concerns over monetary taxes.

Legal Consequences

Following the incident, Gonzalez-Diaz was released on bail. He faces charges related to attempting to evade currency reporting requirements upon entering the United States. If convicted, he could face several years in prison and fines reaching up to $250,000.