What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation at sea turned into a dramatic chase in Puerto Rico after a Royal Caribbean passenger allegedly jumped overboard to dodge a massive gambling bill.
Authorities say Jey Gonzalez-Diaz racked up more than $16,000 in casino debt before leaping off the Rhapsody of the Seas as it docked in San Juan on Sunday morning.
The Dramatic Escape Attempt
According to an affidavit, Gonzalez-Diaz hurled himself into the water around 9:15 a.m. as the cruise ship was pulling into port.
His escape was anything but discreet—security footage captured him splashing into the ocean before clinging onto a passing jet ski.
The jet ski driver, towing another rider on an inflatable boat, brought him to shore.
Images show Gonzalez-Diaz clambering onto the back of the vessel, looking every bit like a man trying to outrun trouble.
A Run Through San Juan
Once back on land, Gonzalez-Diaz didn’t stop moving. He bolted from the port and made it as far as the area near the Puerto Rico Capitol Building.
But Customs and Border Patrol agents were already on his trail.
By 9:45 a.m., they caught up with him and placed him under arrest.
What Officers Found in His Bag
When agents searched Gonzalez-Diaz’s belongings, they discovered more than just vacation essentials.
He was carrying a backpack filled with $14,600 in cash, a handbag, two cell phones, and no fewer than five identification documents.
The documents raised eyebrows—each listed different variations of his name.
Among them were a Tennessee state ID, a Puerto Rico birth certificate, a U.S. passport, a Social Security card, and even his Royal Caribbean boarding pass.
A Tangled Web of Names
Investigators say the IDs featured different names, including “Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz,” “Jeremy Diaz,” and “Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez-Diaz.”
The cruise line billed “Jeremy Diaz” for the $16,710 in casino spending, while Puerto Rican state records later confirmed the man’s actual identity as Jey Gonzalez-Diaz.
When pressed for clarification, Gonzalez-Diaz reportedly told investigators, “If you guys were good at your job, you would know that.”
A Family Connection—or Something Else?
Complicating the case further, records showed that a man named Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz has been in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo since January.
Gonzalez-Diaz claimed this man was his brother, though investigators have yet to publicly confirm the connection.
Why He Said He Jumped
When asked why he leapt from the ship, Gonzalez-Diaz allegedly claimed he wanted to avoid declaring the large sum of cash he had on him, fearing he would be taxed duties for bringing it ashore.
Legal Trouble Ahead
Though he was released on bail, Gonzalez-Diaz is now staring down serious federal charges.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison or a fine of $250,000.
For a vacation that started with a cruise to Barbados and ended with a leap into San Juan waters, Gonzalez-Diaz’s attempt at a getaway has now landed him in far deeper trouble.