Opinion ID: 2676152
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: May 6, 2012 Interview of Bowleg

Text: On May 6, Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) Special Agent Anderson Sullivan, in the presence of DHS Special Agent Kenneth Cisneros read Bowleg his Miranda4 rights, in English, off of a form. 5 Agent Sullivan then read the form’s waiver statement to Bowleg, providing: “I have had the above statement of my rights read and explained to me and I fully understand these rights. I waive 4 Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602 (1966). 5 Bowleg’s native language is English. 4 Case: 12-15797 Date Filed: 05/28/2014 Page: 5 of 36 them freely and voluntarily, without threat or intimidation . . . .” Bowleg signed the waiver statement. After waiving his Miranda rights, Bowleg told the agents that: (1) Bowleg washed boats for a Bahamian named Chris; (2) Chris brought people into the United States illegally and knew that Bowleg wanted to enter the United States; (3) Chris stated that he could transport Bowleg to the United States for $2,000; and (4) Bowleg told Chris that he did not have $2,000 and negotiated a price of $500 for the trip instead. The agents told Bowleg that his story lacked credibility, especially in light of the $1,000 found during the inventory of his possessions. The agents told Bowleg to “tell . . . the truth.” Bowleg then told the agents that: (1) Chris paid Bowleg $1,000 to assist Pratt in transporting a group of aliens to the United States; (2) Chris told Bowleg to “pick up” Pratt and then Pratt would drive the boat; (3) Bowleg supplied drinks to the aliens; (4) Bowleg operated the boat for a period of time, as had “many others” on board; (5) Bowleg held the GPS-device once to attempt to get the motorboat to West Palm Beach, Florida; and (6) Bowleg had substantial experience driving boats. 5 Case: 12-15797 Date Filed: 05/28/2014 Page: 6 of 36 At that point in the interview, Bowleg asked to make a phone call. The agents told Bowleg that he could make a call after they finished the interview, and they wanted to hear the truth. Bowleg then told the agents that: (1) Chris approached Bowleg and asked him to go to the United States; (2) Bowleg agreed to go to the United States; (3) Bowleg “drove the boat over to pick up” Pratt; (4) Pratt then “took control of the vessel” and drove it to pick up the aliens; (5) Bowleg helped the aliens on board the boat; and (6) Chris did not pay Bowleg $1,000 to go to the United States, but rather Bowleg obtained that amount by selling marijuana and doing “odd jobs” in the Bahamas. During the interview, Bowleg consented to having his cell phone searched. Bowleg told the agents that Chris was listed as “MMI” and “C” in his phone’s address book. Agents determined that, on May 5, 2012, Bowleg received nine incoming telephone calls from Chris, missed five calls from Chris, and made seven outgoing calls to Chris. Additionally, the agents determined that, at 8:52 PM on May 5, 2012, Chris sent a message to Bowleg stating, “check the sky.” Shortly after, Bowleg responded by text, “Ok.” Agents also determined that, on May 5, Bowleg sent a text message to Pinke, his girlfriend who lived in the Bahamas, stating “baby, I send you five dollars.” Pinke responded “thank you, baby, where you is.” Bowleg replied that 6 Case: 12-15797 Date Filed: 05/28/2014 Page: 7 of 36 he would be “gone all night,” but that he would see Pinke “Tomorrow” (May 6). Pinke then said, “okay, baby, see you soon.”