An Ocala man has been indicted in federal court, accused of operating an illegal scuba charter business that led to one person’s death, then using that business to make fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program claims.
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49-year-old Dustin Sean McCabe made an initial appearance in court Thursday stemming from an indictment charging him with one count of seaman’s manslaughter, one count of making false statements, and three counts of wire fraud.
According to court records filed in the Southern District of Florida, McCabe bought a 48-foot boat in March 2020 that he named the “Southern Comfort” and made false claims to the U.S. Coast Guard that he had purchased it for recreational purposes when, in fact, he used it to conduct paid scuba charters.
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McCabe’s indictment goes on to say he refitted the boat by removing the vessel’s main deck engine controls, then proceeded to conduct paid scuba dives on March 28 and March 29 without authorization.