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A man accused of owing a cruise line nearly $17,000 in gambling debt allegedly jumped off a ship to avoid paying.
Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, who was booked under the passenger name of « Jeremy Diaz, » was detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers around 9:45 a.m. Sunday near the Port of San Juan, after he allegedly jumped off Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas during disembarkation, according to a criminal complaint.
Security footage shows Gonzalez-Diaz being brought to shore by two passing Jet Skis.
CBP officers said they found $14,600 in U.S. currency, one backpack, one handbag, two mobile devices and five identification documents in Gonzalez-Diaz’s possession.
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Authorities say the suspect, Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, was pulled from the water by two passing Jet Skis. (Homeland Security Investigations / Fox News)
When asked why he jumped off the ship, he allegedly told officers in Spanish, that he « did not want to report the currency on his possession because he thought he was going to be taxed duties for bring in the currency, » the complaint states.
The cruise line told investigators that Gonzalez-Diaz « had a $16,710.24 debt » that « was almost exclusively associated to Casino and Gaming expenses. »
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Jey Gonzalez-Diaz faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for what allegedly occurred on Sept. 7, 2025. (Homeland Security Investigations / Fox News)
The cruise left the Port of San Juan on August 31 before returning on September 7.
According to the court filing, when Gonzalez-Diaz was asked by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents for his full name, he said, « If you guys were good at your job, you would know that. » He then refused to speak with HSI agents further, prosecutors said.
An aerial view of Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, taken at an unknown date and location. (Royal Caribbean / Fox News)
Three of the identification documents that officers recovered had the name « Jeremy Diaz, » which the suspect later told investigators was his brother’s name. Two additional documents had the name « Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez Diaz. »
Gonzalez-Diaz’s brother has been in federal custody since January 2025 at the Metropolitan Detention Center Guaynabo, authorities said.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCL | ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP | 341.47 | -3.79 | -1.10% |
Gonzalez-Diaz faces fines up to $250,000, up to five years in prison or both.
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When contacted by FOX Business, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said that due to the matter being part of an ongoing investigation, they « are working with authorities and don’t have any more information to share. »
