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Man Who Jumped Off Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Was Carrying $14,600 in Cash, Multiple IDs to Allegedly Evade $16K Casino Debt
San Juan, Puerto Rico — A Royal Caribbean cruise passenger allegedly attempted to escape a substantial onboard casino debt by jumping off the ship as it docked in Puerto Rico, authorities said. The man, identified as Jey González-Díaz, was carrying over $14,000 in cash, two phones, and five forms of identification when he was arrested shortly after the daring escape attempt.
The incident occurred on the morning of September 7, 2025, as the Rhapsody of the Seas was docking at the Port of San Juan. According to federal court documents, González-Díaz leapt overboard around 9:00 a.m., allegedly in an effort to avoid paying a $16,710.24 gambling debt accrued during the voyage.
Attempt to Evade Detection
González-Díaz had boarded the cruise ship using an alias — “Jeremy Diaz” — and reportedly spent thousands in the ship’s casino over the week-long voyage. Upon returning to San Juan, he allegedly jumped into the water with a backpack and handbag, hoping to flee the port area without settling his debts or reporting the large sum of cash in his possession.
Authorities said González-Díaz was picked up by a jet ski near the cruise terminal and made it to shore, where he was later detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents.
Suspicious Findings and Multiple Identities
During the arrest, CBP officers found the following in his possession:
$14,600 in U.S. currency
Two smartphones
Five forms of government-issued identification, some under different names
One of the IDs was in the name of Jeremy Omar González Díaz, the name of his brother, who is currently serving time in a federal prison. Another was in the name Jey Xander Omar González Díaz, presumed to be his legal identity.
Officials are now investigating possible identity fraud, as well as whether the multiple IDs were intended to mislead authorities or mask his financial transactions.
Criminal Charges Filed
A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico accuses González-Díaz of:
Willfully failing to report carrying more than $10,000 in currency
Using false identification
Attempting to defraud a corporate entity
Under U.S. federal law, travelers entering or exiting the country with more than $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments must declare it. González-Díaz allegedly told authorities that he avoided disembarkation procedures to circumvent this reporting requirement and avoid being questioned about the large cash sum.
He also admitted to attempting to escape paying his debt to Royal Caribbean, which stems almost entirely from casino-related charges made during the cruise.
Potential Penalties
If convicted, González-Díaz faces:
Up to five years in federal prison
Fines up to $250,000
Further investigation into identity misuse or fraud
After his arrest, he was reportedly released on bail pending trial.
Royal Caribbean Response
Royal Caribbean International has not publicly commented on the incident, though court records confirm the cruise line cooperated with federal authorities during the investigation.
Confirmed Ties to Sports Gambling
While the incident revolves around gambling, there is confirmed evidence linking González-Díaz to sports betting or any illegal sports-related activity at this time. The charges are related to casino activity onboard the ship and customs violations.
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