A Mexican national, Ofelia Hernandez-Salas, 63, has pleaded guilty to leading a human smuggling conspiracy at the U.S.-Mexico border. The organization she led facilitated the travel of over 100 migrants from countries including Bangladesh, Yemen, and Pakistan into the United States. Her operation charged migrants large sums for their journey and directed them on how to illegally cross the border.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "Hernandez-Salas has pled guilty to leading a criminal organization that smuggled migrants from more than a dozen countries into the United States." He emphasized Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA)'s commitment to prosecuting leaders of such operations.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas described human smugglers as ruthless and pledged continued efforts with federal and international partners to dismantle these operations.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco noted that JTFA was launched three years ago to disrupt human smuggling networks across the Western hemisphere. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri highlighted the risks posed by such criminal operations to migrants.
U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona underscored the importance of extradition in holding leaders accountable and praised cooperation with Mexican authorities.
Hernandez-Salas faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to her role in bringing aliens into the U.S. for financial gain. Her sentencing is scheduled for March 10, 2025.
The case investigation involved multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), FBI, and others. JTFA Co-Director Jim Hepburn and Trial Attorney Patrick Jasperse are prosecuting alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Jennis.
JTFA aims to disrupt human smuggling networks that pose security risks or exploit migrants across Central America and Mexico. Since its inception in June 2021, JTFA has made significant arrests and convictions related to human smuggling activities.