A man who bravely rushed into the water to assist a 9-year-old girl attacked by a shark in Florida is now facing potential deportation. Luis Alvarez, 31, from Lehigh Acres, Lee County, Florida, was recently arrested for driving without a license shortly after the shark incident. The arrest took place at approximately 1:30 a.m. on June 14 when police stopped him for driving without headlights in a gray SUV with a Rhode Island tag.
Alvarez, who is currently held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is set to appear before a judge on July 9. The reason for his arrest stems from his admission to not having a driver’s license and showing an Employment Authorization Card as identification. He stated that he had been in the country for two-and-a-half years and had never obtained a driver’s license.
Records show that Alvarez, originally from Boaco, Nicaragua, has a history of similar offenses in Lee County, Florida, dating back to December 2023. Despite being the subject of prior arrests, he had paid fines or had adjudication withheld in past cases. His most recent charge resulted in a D6 suspension for not settling his fine, which prevented him from applying for a license.
Alvarez’s heroic act of rescuing the young girl occurred on June 11 at Boca Grande, Florida, where Leah Lendel was bitten by a shark, nearly severing her hand. Thanks to the quick response and medical attention, surgeons at Tampa General Hospital were able to successfully reattach her hand. Alvarez, along with another individual, jumped into the water to assist Leah during the shark attack, demonstrating remarkable courage and selflessness.
Body camera footage captured the intense moments following the attack, showing Alvarez and others aiding Leah as emergency medical services arrived. Despite the recent legal issues, Alvarez’s actions on that fateful day reflected his bravery and willingness to help others in need.
Article published on USA TODAY: Deportation may be pending for man who assisted girl in Florida shark attack.
