A shocking scene unfolded on a Caribbean cruise as a passenger, overwhelmed by a staggering $16,000 gambling debt, plunged into the ocean to escape repayment. This daring act has caught the attention of federal authorities.

The incident involved Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, who made his leap from Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas while the ship was docked in Puerto Rico. It was around 9:15 a.m. on September 7, just as other passengers disembarked for a day on land.

Quick-thinking locals came to the rescue, hoisting Gonzalez-Diaz onto a jet ski before he could disappear beneath the waves. However, his attempt to evade the law was short-lived; Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended him about half an hour later.

Charges are stacking up against Gonzalez-Diaz for trying to dodge monetary reporting requirements. This was not just a spontaneous act—his criminal complaint revealed he boarded the cruise on August 31, under the alias Jeremy Diaz, racking up a total debt of $16,710.24 primarily from casino expenses.

When questioned by investigators about his identity, he cheekily retorted, "If you guys were good at your job, you would know that," further complicating his legal troubles.

Adding to the intrigue, background checks revealed that a Jeremy Omar Gonzalez-Diaz has been in federal custody in Puerto Rico since January. Gonzalez-Diaz claimed this individual was his brother.

If convicted, Gonzalez-Diaz faces hefty fines of up to $250,000 and a maximum prison sentence of five years. He has not commented publicly through his attorney but has been released on bail.

This isn’t the only drama surrounding Royal Caribbean—recent reports showed a water slide accident on another ship injured a guest, while a crew member tragically jumped to his death after allegedly stabbing a colleague just weeks ago.

Stay tuned as more details emerge in this wild story of desperation and escape on the high seas!