While the Biogenesis Scandal has been grabbing many headlines this offseason, many have forgotten about the others on trial for illegally smuggling Cubans into the United States to help them sign MLB contracts. Yasiel Puig was one of those smuggled back in 2012.
Gilberto Suarez, 41, was sentenced to one month in prison and five months of house arrest on Friday for violating U.S. immigration laws in his role of bringing Puig to the states. Suarez had Puig transported from Mexico City to the Texas border in a taxi after the 24-year-old endured a long journey from Cuba. U.S. District Judge Robert Scola was easy on Suarez and did not slap him with the maximum one-year sentence.
According to The Associated Press, Scola said he was "showing leniency" toward the defendant because Puig, as well as others who were being smuggled, faced threats by Mexico's violent Zetas drug gang and possibly corrupt Mexican police. Because Puig could have established residency in Mexico (or another country for that matter) and still would have been able to pursue an MLB contract, Scola believed Suarez was working to protect Puig and get him away from the danger that was surrounding him.
"Where Suarez went wrong, [defense attorney Bijan Parwaresch] added, was deciding to take Puig to the U.S. border without immigration papers. Under the 'wet foot, dry foot' policy, Cubans who reach U.S. territory are usually permitted to stay, even if their arrival violates the law," the AP reported.
Suarez received $2.5 million from Puig after the outfielder signed a seven-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the 41-year-old had to surrender his house, condominium and Mercedes-Benz to the government after agreeing to a plea deal. Parwaresch said Suarez essentially ended up with nothing.
But Suarez was not the only one found guilty for his involvement in smuggling Cubans. Eliezer Lazo was sentenced to 14 years in prison last November for leading a smuggling ring that involved 1,000 Cubans, including Texas Rangers outfielder Leonys Martin. A woman also involved in that case is facing up to three years in prison.
