Bahamian boat captain gets life

A Bahamian fishing boat captain has been sentenced to six consecutive life terms for his role in the drowning of three illegal immigrants he was trying to smuggle into the United States.



A Florida court found Rickey Thompson guilty of 30 counts, including second-degree murder, importing drugs and smuggling humans mostly from Jamaica and Haiti.



Prosecutors say Thompson and his first mate forced passengers off the speedboat at gunpoint about 100 yards from shore, despite pleas from some who said they could not swim.



The passengers reportedly paid up to $4,000 for the trip and were reportedly assured that Thompson would drop them on the beach or in knee-deep water.



The boat’s first mate was sentenced in August to 22 years in jail.