In a bizarre and dramatic turn of events on September 7, 2025, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship passenger allegedly tried to evade both the law and a mountain of gambling debt by leaping off the vessel as it docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The man, identified as Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez-Diaz, found himself at the center of a federal investigation after authorities say he attempted to avoid reporting thousands of dollars in cash and settle a hefty casino bill the hard way—by jumping overboard.
According to multiple reports, including detailed accounts from FOX Business, The New York Times, and USA Today, Gonzalez-Diaz’s week-long voyage aboard Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas began on August 31, 2025, departing from the Port of San Juan. The cruise promised sun, relaxation, and, for some, a bit of high-seas gambling. But for Gonzalez-Diaz, the trip ended with a desperate dash into the waters of San Juan Bay, a rescue by two passing jet skiers, and a swift arrest by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
The incident unfolded as guests were disembarking on the morning of September 7. At approximately 9:15 a.m., security footage captured Gonzalez-Diaz plunging into the harbor. Within half an hour, at 9:45 a.m., CBP officers had detained him on shore. The rescue, as described by FOX Business, was hardly subtle: two jet skiers spotted the commotion and pulled Gonzalez-Diaz from the water, ferrying him to safety—and ultimately, to the waiting arms of law enforcement.
What prompted such a risky escape? The answer, authorities say, lies in a tangled web of gambling losses, conflicting identities, and a misunderstanding of U.S. customs regulations. Gonzalez-Diaz reportedly owed Royal Caribbean $16,710.24, a debt nearly all tied to casino and gaming expenses racked up during the voyage. The cruise line confirmed to investigators that the charges were "almost exclusively associated to Casino and Gaming expenses," according to the criminal complaint cited by USA Today and The New York Times.
When CBP officers searched Gonzalez-Diaz after his rescue, they found $14,600 in cash, a backpack, a handbag, two mobile devices, and an assortment of identification documents. The IDs included a U.S. passport, a social security card, a Puerto Rican birth certificate, a Tennessee state ID, and a Royal Caribbean boarding card. Curiously, the documents bore different names—three listed "Jeremy Diaz," while two were under "Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez Diaz." This discovery only deepened the mystery surrounding his true identity.
During questioning, Gonzalez-Diaz offered a candid explanation for his leap. As stated in the criminal complaint and reported by all major outlets covering the case, he told officers in Spanish that he "did not want to report the currency on his possession because he thought he was going to be taxed duties for bringing in the currency." This admission, while honest, underscored a critical misunderstanding of U.S. customs law: travelers entering the United States must report if they are carrying more than $10,000 in cash, but the requirement is not a tax—it’s a reporting rule designed to prevent money laundering and other financial crimes.
Gonzalez-Diaz’s attempt to sidestep this regulation landed him in even deeper trouble. He was charged with failure to report the transport of monetary instruments exceeding $10,000 from outside the U.S., a federal offense that carries severe penalties. According to FOX Business, he now faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. In addition, CBP conducted an administrative seizure of the cash found in his possession.
The story took another twist when investigators dug into the identification documents. The name "Jeremy Diaz" appeared on several IDs, but when questioned, Gonzalez-Diaz identified Jeremy as his brother. Records confirmed that a Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz has been in federal custody since January 2025 at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. This revelation raised further questions about why Jey Gonzalez-Diaz was traveling under his brother’s name and whether identity confusion played a role in the case.
When agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) attempted to clarify the situation, Gonzalez-Diaz was less than cooperative. As reported by FOX Business, when asked for his full name, he retorted, "If you guys were good at your job, you would know that." He then refused to speak with HSI agents further, leaving investigators with more questions than answers.
Royal Caribbean, for its part, has kept a low profile as the investigation unfolds. Spokespersons for the cruise line told USA Today and FOX Business that, "as this is an ongoing investigation, we are working with authorities and don’t have any more information to share." The company has otherwise declined to comment, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing federal case.
Legal experts note that the charge Gonzalez-Diaz faces—failure to report the transport of more than $10,000 in cash—has tripped up many travelers unfamiliar with the law. While there’s no tax on carrying large sums of cash, the U.S. government requires disclosure to prevent illicit activity. Attempting to avoid this requirement, especially in such a high-profile and public manner, rarely ends well. In this case, the attempt to evade scrutiny by jumping overboard has only compounded Gonzalez-Diaz’s legal woes.
As for the cruise ship itself, Rhapsody of the Seas is no stranger to excitement, but incidents like this are rare. The vessel, owned by Royal Caribbean Group, features 12 decks and regularly sails popular Caribbean routes. The company’s stock, meanwhile, saw a slight dip following the news, closing at $341.47, down 1.10% on the day of the incident, according to FOX Business.
At present, Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez-Diaz remains in federal custody as the investigation continues. He has not entered a plea, and a lawyer for him could not be reached for comment by any of the news organizations covering the case. The legal process will determine whether his leap from the ship was a misguided bid for freedom, a calculated attempt to dodge debt, or simply a misunderstanding gone spectacularly awry.
For passengers and cruise lines alike, the episode serves as a vivid reminder: the rules of the high seas don’t override the laws of the land. Whether it’s gambling fortunes or federal regulations, there’s no easy escape—no matter how dramatic the jump.
