A Mexican citizen was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for his role in a human smuggling conspiracy.
Jesus Ernesto Dessens-Romero, 28, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge John Hinderaker for the District of Arizona. In November 2023, Dessens-Romero was found guilty by a jury of multiple alien smuggling offenses, including conspiracy to transport and transportation of illegal aliens for profit and bringing in illegal aliens to the United States for profit. The jury also determined that Dessens-Romero placed human life in jeopardy during these offenses.
“Human smugglers profit from the exploitation of migrants and routinely expose them to violence, injury, and death,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Today’s sentence shows the Justice Department will continue to hold accountable these smugglers and the criminal networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants.”
Evidence presented at trial established that Dessens-Romero acted as a human smuggling foot guide for five Mexican nationals who illegally crossed into the United States on or about February 13, 2021. The group included three sisters – ages 23, 20, and 17 – and their family friend aged 16. Dessens-Romero led them through the rugged Huachuca Mountains near Fort Huachuca in southern Arizona due to less law enforcement presence there. The group had limited food and water and faced harsh weather conditions including freezing temperatures and snow.
By February 15, 2021, the 23-year-old sister was in significant physical distress; she could not eat or walk. Dessens-Romero told the group they were close enough to a traveled roadway where she could be found if left behind but did not call emergency services. Instead, he contacted a transnational criminal smuggling organization after finding cell phone reception at higher ground. He then led the rest of the group to Sierra Vista where unidentified co-conspirators picked them up.
The family reported her missing on February 16, prompting extensive search efforts by U.S. Border Patrol along with military officials from Fort Huachuca, Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Despite these efforts initially being unsuccessful, SOS Búsqueda y Rescate later located skeletal remains confirmed via dental records as belonging to her on November 20th within an isolated area of Huachuca Mountains on Fort Huachuca property.
At trial additional evidence showed that until June when Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested him while transporting two migrants—Dessens continued smuggling undocumented non-citizens within America until his arrest date June thirtieth last year
This case resulted from Joint Task Force Alpha's coordinated efforts established by Attorney General Garland back June twenty-first aimed combating rise prolific dangerous human trafficking groups operating across regions like Mexico Guatemala El Salvador Honduras initiative recently expanded Colombia Panama tackle Darién related issues JTFA includes detailees US Attorneys’ Offices southwest border Southern District California Arizona New Mexico Western Southern Texas Supported numerous components Justice Departments Criminal Division led Human Rights Special Prosecutions Section Office Prosecutorial Development Assistance Training Narcotic Dangerous Drug Money Laundering Asset Recovery Enforcement Operations International Affairs Violent Crime Racketeering Substantial law enforcement investment DHS FBI DEA other partners So far JTFA’s work has resulted over three hundred domestic international arrests leaders organizers significant facilitators more than two hundred fifty one convictions one hundred eighty six substantial jail sentences imposed forfeitures substantial assets
The HSI Douglas Field Office investigated this case alongside Fort Huachuca Army Criminal Investigation Division Armed Forces Medical Examiner System HSI-Nashville Field Office Tennessee Highway Patrol US Attorney’s Office District Arizona prosecuted case