ORLANDO, Fla -- Federal Authorities in the Middle District of Orlando who represent the United States District Court issued a Federal Criminal Complaint against the local roofing empire owner.

44-year-old and sole owner of G&G Roofing, Raymond Smith was arrested by the Brevard County Sheriff's office yesterday on a warrant for allegations that he was using his boating vessel to smuggle in people from the Bahamas into the country and back again.  These undocumented people were employees of the roofing company. 

Federal Court records say the unnamed confidential informant told the United States Department of Homeland Security that at the direction and instruction of Raymond Smith, the workers were to be transported to and from the Bahamas into the United States by boat because flying would mean showing papers and documentation.

Federal Homeland Security Agents with the Marine Interdiction Unit were conducting surveillance on Smith's residence on April 19th, 2024 which lays directly on the Indian River Lagoon (The Intracoastal Waterways), which leads to the Atlantic Ocean.  Agents observed at approximately 7:20am in the morning a 42-foot Freeman offshore Yach docked at his house.  A short time later, agents observed multiple people loading large duffel bags into the vessel.  Approximately 6-8 people boarded the vessel and left southbound in the Indian River towards the Sebastian Inlet. 

Agents describe they stopped the Vessel past the 3 mile offshore nautical marker which represents international waters.  There were several people on board, including the roofing company owner himself captaining the vessel.  The undocumented people did not have papers on them. Based on the circumstances, the authorities towed the boat back to the Sebastian Yach Club.  

Once on safe ground, Mr. Smith waived his constitutional rights and agreed to talk with the Authorities.  He told investigators that he never completed any I-9 forms or ran any background checks.  1 of the people on board the boat was from Honduras and lived in Vero Beach.  U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, according to the probable cause affidavit, were called out to the scene so the remaining occupants could be identified.  Their status is unknown at this time. 

THE BLAKE MOIA SHOW has his full 9-page Federal Affidavit.