United States v. Gari

COX, Circuit Judge:

Thirty-four Cuban aliens were brought in a go-fast boat to shallow waters near North Key Largo under the cover of darkness. The aliens waded ashore and were apprehended. The two men who crewed the boat — Geormani Hernandez Gari and Diuvel Rodriguez — were also apprehended. This appeal follows the prosecution and conviction of Gari and Rodriguez on thirty-four counts of alien smuggling.

We consider whether the evidence at trial was sufficient to sustain the convictions. We also consider Defendants’ arguments that their Sixth Amendment confrontation rights were violated by the…