SMUGGLING RING PLAY BY PLAY HOW MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PROSPECTS GOT FROM CUBA TO MIAMI TO WOODLAND HILLS VALLEY SPORTS AGENT INDICTED IN SCHEME.

Byline: RACHEL URANGA Staff Writer

A San Fernando Valley sports agent known for representing talented baseball players after they defect from Cuba has been charged with smuggling them off the communist island as part of a highly orchestrated scheme to sign them to professional U.S. teams.

Gustavo ``Gus'' Dominguez, 48, who lives in a gated community in Chatsworth, was named in a 53-count indictment issued Tuesday by a grand jury in Miami.

It accuses him of masterminding an elaborate ring that used speedboats to bring the aspiring ballplayers to Florida, then rented vans to carry them to Woodland Hills, where they were housed in a corporate apartment complex.

At least three of the Cubans eventually played for minor league teams. Another was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but never signed a contract.

``It is unfortunate that those who claim to support Major League Baseball taint America's pastime with these illegal human-smuggling operations,'' Julie L. Myers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement assistant secretary, said in a statement.

``The ringleaders put the lives of illegal immigrants at risk and sought to profit from their labor.''

Dominguez surrendered to authorities in Miami on Tuesday, and was freed after posting $25,000 bail.

``He and his family are saddened by the current events, but are optimistic the complete facts will prove his innocence,'' his attorney, Susan Dmitrovsky, said.

Dominguez is vice president of Total Sports International, which has offices on Ventura Boulevard in Encino and represents 50 players, including Chicago Cubs catcher Henry Blanco.

Among agents, the Cuban-born Dominguez is well-respected, known for his soft-spoken manner and affinity toward helping Latin American players. Dominguez has boasted that he has represented 11 of the earliest Cuban defectors, including former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Rene Arocha.

In 2000, Dominguez represented Andy Morales, a third baseman who defected from the Cuban national team and signed with the New York Yankees organization. He was dropped after a year on the Yankees' farm team.

Dominguez's indictment revived questions about the inner workings of Major League Baseball, and whether some of those who defect are actually smuggled into the U.S.

``This has been an open secret in the baseball community for four or five years,'' said Joe Kehoskie, a Miami-based sports agent whose clients include Cuban players.

The indictment relies on a witness identified only as ``H.B.,'' who detailed how Dominguez ``solicited'' prospective major league players and how four co-conspirators, all Cuban-born, ferried the athletes and other Cubans into the U.S. in summer 2004.

In the first attempt, on July 28, 2004, federal customs agents intercepted a 28-foot ``go-fast'' boat carrying 22 passengers en route from Cuba to Florida.

Less than a month later, on Aug. 22, some 19 Cubans made it to Florida. There, five of the Cubans were transported in rented vans to the Valley, where Dominguez had leased units at Oakwood Apartments, a complex that caters to corporate tenants.

It remains unclear how the next months unfolded and what role Dominguez played in the Cubans getting positions on various minor league teams.

Dominguez did not return phone calls, and his partner, Matt Klein, declined to comment.

However, Dominguez's attorney said the sports agent was saddened by the indictment.

``Gus Dominguez is a hard-working, law-abiding citizen who has diligently made opportunities available for young men to showcase their baseball talent,'' said Dmitrovsky, Dominguez's lawyer in Miami.

``The United States is and must remain a vanguard for those seeking freedom and democracy. Dominguez has done his part to advance that American heritage through lawful means.''

The indictment charges Dominguez with conspiracy and transporting, concealing and harboring immigrants for profit. If convicted, he faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Dominguez and sports agent Joe Cubas are among only a handful in their industry who cater to Cuban ballplayers.

Since the first wave of defectors in the early 1990s, two dozen Cuban players have made it to the major leagues, including half-brothers Orlando and Livan Hernandez, who play for the Yankees and Diamondbacks, respectively.

Dozens more are on minor league rosters, waiting and hoping for a break.

Insiders say international optimism about the potential of Cuban players is fading after some failed to perform as hoped. Many are too old to successfully compete in the major leagues by the time they arrive in the U.S.

``The Cuban players have a desperate situation because the baseball life is so short. Many get here when they are in their 30s. If these agents provide an opportunity to get them out, that's fine until they break American law,'' said Roberto Gonzales Echevarria, a Yale professor and author of a book on Cuban baseball.

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Player snapshots

A federal indictment accuses Gustavo ``Gus'' Dominguez of smuggling five prospective professional ballplayers from Cuba to the U.S. Here's a snapshot of the players:

Francisely Bueno-Trueba, 25, last year pitched for the Mississippi Braves, a farm team of the Atlanta Braves. The left-hander was 1-7 with a 3.59 earned run average.

Osbek Castillo-Perez, 25, pitched last year for the Missoula (Mont.) Osprey in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system. The right-hander was 6-0 with a 1.04 ERA.

Yoankis Turino-Montalno, 27, pitched four games last year for the Lincoln (Neb.) Saltdogs of the independent American Association. The team's Web site lists his hometown as San Diego.

Osmany Masso-Arredondo was drafted by the Diamondbacks but never signed a contract.

Allen Guevara-Perez. No information about him was available.

-- Daily News

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box, map

Photo:

(1 -- color) In 2000, Gustavo ``Gus'' Dominguez, right, represented Andy Morales, a third baseman who defected from the Cuban national team and signed with the New York Yankees organization.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

(2) Five Cubans reportedly were brought to the Oakwood Apartments in Woodland Hills, which has corporate tenants.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

Box:

Player snapshots (see text)

Map:

How the system worked

Source: Daily News research

Warren Huskey/Staff Artist