Owner of G&C Roofing in Melbourne Pleads GUILTY to Human Trafficking
Sept. 23 By: -- The Blake Moia Show --
Federal authorities provide update regarding the case of Raymond Smith, the owner of G & C roofing, headquartered in Melbourne.
Orlando, Florida --
Melbourne entrepreneur and multi-million-dollar business owner of G & C Roofing, Raymond Smith pleaded guilty in Federal Court last week on serious charges of human smuggling.
Authorities say Smith's troubles began on February 29, 2024, when officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted a routine maritime safety inspection of his 42-foot Yellowfin vessel. During the inspection, officers discovered 25 Haitian migrants and 6 children hidden on the deck of the boat, which was a clear violation of U.S. immigration laws. It was reported that only 9 life vests were on board at the time.
A subsequent investigation revealed that Smith had conducted at least six smuggling trips between July 2023 and February 2024.
The Scheme to Smuggle Humans to Brevard County
According to Federal Prosecutors, Smith’s smuggling operations were meticulous and methodical.
Prosecutors say he coordinated with facilitators in the Bahamas to gather migrants, primarily Haitian nationals, and smuggled them into Brevard County, Florida.
The 42-foot Yellowfin and a 2020 42-foot Freeman vessel, valued at an estimated $2 million, were used to ferry the migrants under the cover of night to evade detection.
Smith’s known illicit profits from these ventures totaled $284,000, which he attempted to conceal by transferring the money to third parties according to the indictment.
Sentencing in November
Smith pleaded guilty in Federal Court in Orlando on July 12, 2024, to charges of Conspiracy to Smuggle Aliens and Unlawfully Transporting Aliens.
He now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 per count.
Additionally, the court has issued a preliminary order for the forfeiture of both vessels used in the smuggling operations, as well as the $284,000 in illicit proceeds. Because Smith had already dissipated the funds, the government is authorized to seize substitute assets of equal value, according to court records.
Smith's sentencing is on Tuesday, November 19, at 11am in Orlando Federal Courthouse.
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