Jamaicans and a Haitian national are among nine undocumented migrants charged with immigration-related offences in South Florida, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
Federal prosecutors said a grand jury in Miami returned separate charges against the individuals, who are accused of unlawful reentry, attempted illegal entry, and other immigration violations following recent apprehensions across Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
Among those charged is 28-year-old Haitian national Medinel Joseph, who faces a charge of attempted illegal entry after allegedly coming ashore in Miami-Dade County in January 2026. If convicted, Joseph faces a maximum penalty of six months in prison.
Two Jamaican nationals were also charged with unlawfully reentering the United States after prior deportations. Yolander Ceeald Bish, 27, allegedly came ashore in Miami-Dade County in January 2026 after being deported in 2025. Jean Woodley Franezy, 25, is accused of reentering the country in January after being deported in 2022.
Illegal reentry after deportation carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
The charges form part of a broader case involving nine foreign nationals from several countries. Prosecutors said the defendants are accused of either reentering or attempting to reenter the United States after prior removals. Others charged include nationals of Honduras, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Mexico.
In a separate case, Honduran national Lazaro Gaddiel Flores-Arita, 24, was indicted after being apprehended in Monroe County on January 20 for allegedly possessing a firearm and ammunition as an unlawful alien. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Some defendants face enhanced penalties due to prior convictions or multiple deportations. Mexican nationals Juan Carlos Rafael Avila and Sandro Boror-Rivera each face maximum sentences of up to 20 years based on alleged aggravated convictions, while Rafael Corona-Mendez could face up to 10 years in prison.
Authorities said the cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Coast Guard, with support from local and state law enforcement agencies.
Prosecutors said the matters are being handled by the newly established Border and Immigration Crimes Enforcement Section, which was created to strengthen border security, enforce federal immigration laws and dismantle transnational smuggling networks operating through South Florida.
