Florida Captain Guilty of Seaman's Manslaughter, Fraud Charges

Dustin Sean McCabe, a 49-year-old captain from Ocala, Florida, has been found guilty of seaman’s manslaughter following the death of passenger Mollie Ghiz-Flynn, who drowned after becoming entangled in his boat's propeller during a dive trip in March 2020. The jury also convicted McCabe of lying to the Coast Guard and committing COVID-19 relief fraud. Despite prior warnings about mechanical issues, McCabe took paying customers out on a dive trip without fixing the boat, leading to the tragic incident. A medical examiner testified that Ghiz-Flynn's injuries contributed to her drowning. McCabe faces significant prison time, with sentencing scheduled for June 12, where he could receive up to 20 years for his various offenses. Federal officials indicated that McCabe had been illegally operating paid charters despite losing his license.