KIE WEST, Fla. (WFLA) — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says a Texas man has been charged after stealing a rental boat from his keys and taking it to Cuba.
Floyd Dean Devasier, 63, rented a 26-foot panga boat from Key West Marina on Tuesday for two days and was returned by the end of the business day on Wednesday. He agreed to comply with all maritime laws and not to operate the ship at night.
Marina employees also pointed out that Devasier filled an additional 20 gallon fuel tank before he left.
McSo said Devasier would dock the boat to the Marina overnight on Stock Island, but was not seen by the surrounding businesses or other shipowners and could not be captured in security footage.
The owner of the marina where Devasier rented the boat was able to track the GPS of the ship heading south before losing connection. They tried to contact Devasier, but there was no response and contacted the MCSO and the US Coast Guard.
Fishermen off the US coast took photos when they spotted the boat, and Cuban border guards later notified the Department of Homeland Security that a rental boat, Devasier and a 38-year-old woman were in custody.
“I would like to thank the US Coast Guard, the HSI, Cuban border guards, and the good Samaritans on the water for their help and cooperation in making this case a success,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said.
A warrant was filed for employment or lease with intent to fraud, and Devasier was arrested Thursday after he jumped into Miami.
McSO said past rental vessels have been involved in similar cases since 2019 in Cuba. Devasier also has multiple drug-related convictions, the sheriff’s office said.
