JUPITER, Fla. (CBS12) — A man was convicted in Palm Beach County after intentionally ramming his 30-foot vessel, which was carrying 17 undocumented migrants, into a sheriff’s office boat near the beach in Jupiter back in August 2023.
Following the crash, the suspect, Bazelais Francois, continued sailing towards shore with another Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office vessel and a helicopter on his trail. The State Attorney’s Office in Palm Beach County says Francois abandoned the ship, swam to shore and was eventually apprehended.
The State Attorney’s Office says when Francois spoke with investigators, he explained he was trying to enter the country illegally with 17 passengers on board…