Accused Child Killer Among 19 Migrants Rescued In Redondo Beach

REDONDO BEACH, CA — The Coast guard rescued 19 migrants who were stranded in a disabled boat off the coast of Redondo Beach, including a man who had an outstanding warrant for aggravated rape and murder of a child, according to Customs and Border Protection.

Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations agents processed the people rescued and found that all 19 adults, five female and 14 male, were from Mexico. All individuals were expelled from the US under Title 42, which prohibits the entry of people who may pose a health risk due to unlawfully entering the country to bypass health screening.

“The Coast Guard and our local partners responded to a report of a vessel in distress and, after ensuring the safety of everyone involved, shifted to enforcing the nation’s immigration laws," said Capt. Ryan Manning, the commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. "The Coast Guard routinely patrols the California coastline to combat illegal migration and ensure the safety of all people on the water.”

After receiving a call about an unmoving boat that seemed to be in distress Saturday morning, Coast Guard rescue coordinators dispatched multiple crews to search. This included a boat rescue crew from Terminal Island, the Coast Guard's Cutter Blackfin and helicopter crews from Point Mugu and San Diego. Two boats were also provided by Los Angeles County Baywatch Marina Del Rey and Baywatch Redondo Beach.

The helicopter crew from San Diego found the boat 18 miles off the coast of Redondo Beach. The 19 people aboard were brought to safety and the boat was towed to the Los Angeles-Long Beach Coast Guard Base. No injuries were reported.