Jail time for bogus distress call
A Boynton Beach, Fla. man has been sentenced to 30 months in jail and order to pay a fine of $347,000 for making a false distress call to the Coast Guard on June 11.
U.S. District Court Judge Joan Lenard in Miami said Robert J. Moran, 45, should receive an enhanced sentence because his conduct created potential risk of death or serious bodily injury for aircraft and vessels involved in a search conducted during a thunderstorm.
Moran knowingly made a series of radio calls to the Coast Guard Sector Miami claiming his vessel was taking on water and sinking near the Boynton Beach Inlet, and that there were nine people on board the vessel, including four children and his injured wife.
The Coast Guard searched for the vessel and victims for nearly two full days, with help from private citizens, commercial vessels, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and vessels and aircraft from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Jail time for bogus distress call
