A Bahamian national has been sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to smuggling undocumented migrants into the United States by boat, federal prosecutors announced.
Keith Kevin Russell, 46, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term. U.S. District Judge in Miami handed down the sentence after Russell admitted guilt in January to charges stemming from a November 2024 maritime interdiction.
According to court documents, on November 8, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted Russell’s vessel roughly six miles off the coast of Miami. Despite initial attempts to evade capture, Russell ultimately stopped his boat after CBP officers deployed warning flares.
Authorities discovered 18 undocumented migrants onboard, hailing from China, Haiti, Jamaica, and The Bahamas. The individuals were transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge, where officers confirmed they lacked authorization to enter the country.
Among the group was Patrick Angelo Percentie, 45, a previously deported Bahamian national with an aggravated felony conviction. He was taken into custody and later sentenced to 16 months in prison after also pleading guilty.
The remaining migrants were returned to The Bahamas. Russell and Percentie were brought ashore to face federal charges.
The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, with support from CBP and the U.S. Coast Guard’s 7th District. The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl.
The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Hayden O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of HSI Miami.
