ST. LUCIE COUNTY − Ten people apprehended July 22 after a boat with suspected migrants came ashore were turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, a St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said.

Law enforcement agencies converge near Jetty Park in Fort Pierce for a reported immigrant boat landing, July 22, 2025.

Eleven people were thought to have been aboard the vessel, which came ashore in the area of the Fort Pierce Inlet, with one person remaining at large.

Sheriff Richard Del Toro has said that about 2 p.m. July 22 federal authorities contacted local officials about the incident. He said a boat being followed by a sheriff’s marine unit and the U.S. Coast Guard wound up beaching in the area of the inlet.

“Eleven people were on that vessel, began to basically scatter in different directions,” Del Toro said. “Ten are in custody right now, one is currently at large.”

Lt. Andrew Bolonka, sheriff’s spokesperson, on July 23 said the 10 were turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

Alan Regalado, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson, stated July 23 via e-mail he would “... get back with you as soon as I have information to share.”

Bolonka said none of the 10 were jailed on any state-level offense.

A host of local, state and federal law enforcement officials, including sheriff’s investigators and Fort Pierce Police, were at the scene July 22 in a parking area near the Square Grouper Tiki Bar.

TCPalm on July 23 made requests to the Fort Pierce Police Department and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office for records related to the respective agencies’ efforts in the incident, and is awaiting the documents.

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at [email protected].