The Associated Press reports that Seattle Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was smuggled in to the US from his native Cuba by boat in late 2003 and then driven to Los Angeles by a sports agent Gus Dominguez and others being charged by federal prosecutors with immigration violations.
Family members of Chicago White Sox pitcher Jose Contreras were also allegedly smuggled in to the US by the same accused individuals. Another Cuban baseball player, Zaydel Beltran, was also in the group of Cubans smuggled in to the country.
Dominguez was charged a few weeks ago, but court papers revealing which players were involved were only released this week. The trial of Dominguez and the others accused in the indictment will begin next month in Key West, Florida.
Dominguez allegedly told baseball officials that the players fled Cuba for Mexico and obtained Mexican passports. According to the AP:
Betancourt was driven from Los Angeles to Mexico to obtain a visa to legitimize his entry into the United States, but his Mexican passport was “determined to be fraudulent,” prosecutors said. He was arrested by Mexican authorities but later released and entered the U.S. again on Oct. 10, 2004, as a Cuban seeking asylum.
Betancourt was driven from Los Angeles to Mexico to obtain a visa to legitimize his entry into the United States, but his Mexican passport was “determined to be fraudulent,” prosecutors said. He was arrested by Mexican authorities but later released and entered the U.S. again on Oct. 10, 2004, as a Cuban seeking asylum.
None of the players have been charged with immigration violations.