Key Moments:
- A guest on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas allegedly jumped overboard to evade a £12,354 ($16,710) casino debt
- He was apprehended with multiple IDs, two phones, and £10,794 ($14,600) in cash
- The individual faces potential federal penalties including up to five years imprisonment or a £185,000 ($250,000) fine
Incident Overview
An individual identified as Jey Gonzalez-Diaz has been accused of leaping from Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas in a bid to sidestep over £12,000 in gambling liabilities. The ship was completing its journey at the Port of San Juan. The incident reportedly occurred around 9am local time as passengers were disembarking. According to a criminal complaint, the bulk of Gonzalez-Diaz’s £12,354 ($16,710) debt came from frequent casino visits during the week-long trip.
Royal Caribbean passenger runs up $16,000 tab in ships casino. Jumps overboard to avoid payment.
— Paddywagoneer (@AGoodJake4sure) September 10, 2025
Escape Attempt and Apprehension
After entering the water, Gonzalez-Diaz received assistance to shore from a passing jet ski operator, as captured on surveillance footage. However, authorities from US Customs and Border Protection located and arrested him near the Puerto Rico Capitol Building. At the time, Gonzalez-Diaz carried two mobile phones, five forms of identification, and £10,794 ($14,600) in cash. This was nearly £4,000 less than the total gambling debt described in the complaint.
Identity Confusion and Investigation
Authorities discovered Gonzalez-Diaz held several identification documents bearing different names. These included a Tennessee ID, US passport, Social Security card, Puerto Rico birth certificate, and a Royal Caribbean boarding pass. DDiscrepancies emerged: the Tennessee ID and birth certificate listed ‘Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz,’ while the Social Security card and passport displayed ‘Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez Diaz.’ Meanwhile, the Royal Caribbean boarding pass showed ‘Jeremy Diaz,’ which matched both the gambling charges and the booking.
Royal Caribbean confirmed that the cruise, under the name ‘Jeremy Diaz,’ started in Puerto Rico on August 31, made a stop in Barbados, and returned to Puerto Rico. When questioned about his real identity, Gonzalez-Diaz replied, “If you guys were good at your job, you would know that,” as per the affidavit. Puerto Rico state records established Jey Gonzalez-Diaz as his correct identity. Officials also found that a different individual named Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz has been incarcerated since January, whom Gonzalez-Diaz claimed was his brother.
Motive and Legal Proceedings
Regarding the motivation for jumping overboard, Gonzalez-Diaz reportedly stated he “did not want to report the currency in his possession because he thought he was going to be taxed duties for bringing in the currency,” according to the complaint. He has since been released on bail. Facing federal charges, Gonzalez-Diaz could be sentenced to up to five years in prison or required to pay a fine of up to £185,000 ($250,000).
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name(s) on ID | Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz, Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez Diaz, Jeremy Diaz |
| Total Gambling Debt | £12,354 ($16,710) |
| Cash Found | £10,794 ($14,600) |
| Possible Penalty | Up to five years in prison or £185,000 ($250,000) fine |
| Arrest Location | Near the Puerto Rico Capitol Building |
- Author
Daniel Williams
