An Everglades City man was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for stabbing a man four times while on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico last year.

Alain Del Castillo, 23, had faced up to 10 years in prison on two felony charges of assault on the high seas. He had pleaded guilty Nov. 8 and was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Fort Myers.

Del Castillo was charged with stabbing Filipe Avena, 24, on a commercial fishing vessel, Esperanza, which docked in Everglades City.

The two worked as deckhands. While the boat was about 70 miles away from Marco Island, Del Castillo became enraged when Avena spilled water on several rugs on which Del Castillo slept each night, according to court records.

Del Castillo confronted Avena, stabbing him four times in the back and once in the left arm with a fishing knife, according to the records.

After the attack, Avena jumped into the Gulf to escape Del Castillo. Carlos Valdez, the captain of the ship, helped Avena back on the boat before contacting a nearby commercial vessel, Miss Ruby, to ask if its crew would come to help. The boat picked up Avena before the U.S. Coast Guard arrived.

Avena was taken by medical helicopter to Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment.

FBI agents interviewed Valdez and other witnesses, all of whom could testify about the attack, according to court records.

Del Castillo has remained held on no bond in the Lee County Jail since his arrest. He is an illegal immigrant from Cuba with at least five prior felony convictions. He tested positive for marijuana usage when he was arrested. He may be deported after he completes his sentence.

Find additional coverage in Friday's edition of the Daily News.

Naples Daily News
Naples Sun Times
The Banner

Collier Citizen
Vista Semanal
PrepZone

Coastalbeat
Set Anchor
SWFLMoms