Cesar David Martinez-Gonzalez, a 39-year-old resident of Chester, Pennsylvania, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a conspiracy involving the smuggling of migrants from South America into the United States. The plea was entered before United States District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh in Philadelphia.
According to U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero, Martinez-Gonzalez was involved in a scheme aimed at personal financial gain by illegally bringing citizens from South American countries across the U.S.-Mexico border and encouraging them to enter the country unlawfully.
Martinez-Gonzalez reportedly financed "coyotes" in Mexico who facilitated the migrants' crossing of the Rio Grande and entry through breaches in the border wall. He also provided these individuals with information for Customs and Border Protection to secure their release on parole to his residences. Following their arrival, he arranged flights for them to Philadelphia and transported them to homes in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Once settled, Martinez-Gonzalez allegedly imposed significant debts on these migrants, requiring repayment through extensive labor at low wages while taking half of their earnings. He assisted them in obtaining false identification and securing low-paying jobs. The debts were said to be much higher than the costs incurred for transporting and housing them.
Martinez-Gonzalez is scheduled for sentencing on March 18, 2025, facing a maximum sentence of up to 120 years in prison.
"Martinez-Gonzalez took advantage of vulnerable migrants for his own financial benefit," stated U.S. Attorney Romero. "He induced them to come to the United States, then imposed thousands of dollars of so-called 'debts,' which they had to repay through weeks or months of labor."
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara A. Solow, Louis D. Lappen, Eileen Castilla Geiger, and Andrew Jenemann.