UPDATE
LEE COUNTY, Fla. - New information: One of the men accused of helping the smugglers is free tonight on bond. Alva resident Patrick Cochrane got out of jail Friday.

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Six arrested in Cuban immigrant case
LEE COUNTY, Fla. - Six men charged in connection with the smuggling of more than two dozen Cuban immigrants into Southwest Florida appeared in federal court on Tuesday.

The immigrants were found coming ashore in Upper Captiva Monday night.

Officials say four of the men arrested, including Patrick Cochrane from Alva, allegedly smuggled the 28 illegal immigrants into the country. Court documents show the alleged smugglers were caught after two of their boats ran out of gas. They now face ten years in prison and a $250 thousand dollar fine for each illegal immigrant.

The two other men are accused of making false statements about the smuggling to officials. They face five years in prison and a $250 thousand dollar fine.

"They come from different walks of life," says Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Molloy. It's not just Cuban refugees that are smuggled in by Cubans. We've seen citizens from Miami and north Florida. Whoever can be recruited to be part of that organization is what you are going to see."

Cochrane has posted a $100 thousand dollar bond. The other five men are due back in court on Friday.