On Sunday December 2nd, a patrol plane noticed a boat in the Channel Islands. The boat raised
suspicions because it was out on the water in the middle of the night
and did not have any lights on. Not only that, but the boat was a panga,
a boat commonly used by smugglers in the area. These are fairly small
boats with an open top and motor. In order to investigate whether or not
these were smugglers, a coast guard boat was sent out early on Sunday
morning. Although the coast guards were in an 87-foot boat, they got into
an inflatable boat in order to approach the panga boat. As they neared
the boat, the panga turned towards them, rammed into them, and fled the scene.
Both of the coast guards were on the boat were thrown from the boat into
the water. One suffered from minor injuries, but the other received a
traumatic head injury. Although they were both quickly recused from the
water and brought to shore, the coast guard who sustained the serious
head injury was declared dead when he was examined on the pier.
Two men, Mexican nationals, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
It is believed that their boat was smuggling drugs and they are both facing
serious charges as the victim of the case was a federal officer. Federal
prosecutors have brought charges of killing a federal officer against them.
For more information on this case, please check out this
news article. You can also contact our team at
Martinian & Associates Inc. for a free
case evaluation. A Los Angeles
criminal defense lawyer from our office could defend you no matter how serious the charges
against you appear to be.
Call today to learn more!