Fourteen individuals have been charged in connection with an alleged alien smuggling organization that reportedly facilitated the illegal entry of people from South and Central America into the United States through its southern border. The indictment, issued by a grand jury in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on February 19, accuses these individuals of conspiracy to transport, harbor, and bring undocumented aliens into the country. Eight suspects were apprehended on February 20 and 21.
“Today’s indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in a sophisticated conspiracy to smuggle aliens into and throughout the United States at great danger to the aliens, resulting in the death of one person,” stated Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon from the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. She emphasized collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to dismantle this organization based in Mexico.
The indictment claims that those involved participated in a scheme to bring undocumented migrants from Mexico into the U.S., further transporting them within American borders while hiding them in "stash houses." The accused allegedly instructed migrants on how to evade law enforcement during their journey. One incident mentioned involves an undocumented migrant who died from heat exposure and was left behind.
Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin for New Mexico commented on human smuggling organizations: “Human smuggling organizations threaten our national security and exploit vulnerable individuals for profit, putting their lives at risk and undermining public safety.” He reiterated commitment towards dismantling such operations.
Jason T. Stevens from ICE HSI El Paso expressed gratitude for law enforcement efforts against transnational criminal groups: “As this case sadly demonstrates, human smuggling is a crime that takes lives and puts the public at risk.”
Among those charged are Michelle Martinez, Jesus Calvillo, Jorge Calvillo, Abel Aguilar-Cano, Jose Palomino—all residents of El Paso or Albuquerque—who appeared before court recently. Others include Edna Valdez-China, Leslie Nicole Calvillo (aka Leslie Jaramillo), Melissa Vargas—all scheduled for initial appearances soon—as well as Jorge Alberto De La Cruz-Dominguez (aka Guero), Jorge Valdez China (aka Lolo), Jonathan Valdez-China (aka China/Dior), Alma Guadalupe Valdez-China—all named in indictments.
If convicted on charges related to conspiracy involving illegal immigration activities within U.S., each defendant could face up-to ten years imprisonment pending sentencing considerations under federal guidelines.
The investigation was led by ICE HSI El Paso alongside U.S Border Patrol with assistance provided by various agencies including DEA's Human Smuggling Unit based out Washington D.C., Texas Dept Public Safety among others involved collectively through Joint Task Force Alpha initiative launched June 2021 aimed combating rise dangerous trafficking groups operating across multiple countries Latin America region contributing over significant arrests convictions forfeitures assets till date according official records shared authorities press release issued regarding matter recently highlighted need continued vigilance tackling complex challenges posed illicit networks globally impacting communities adversely affected actions taken against them judicially where possible uphold rule law justice system fairly impartially manner consistent principles democracy governance respect rights dignity all persons regardless circumstances they find themselves facing time point life journey undertaken either voluntarily otherwise reasons best known only themselves ultimately hope brighter future lies ahead somewhere down road traveled hopefully safely securely peace mind heart knowing world place worth living better tomorrow awaits us if work together make happen today united common cause humanity shared values beliefs ideals strive achieve collectively individually without fear favor prejudice discrimination bias whatsoever shape form guise may take manifest presence encountered daily basis real tangible terms meaningful positive impact society whole large scale perspective viewed objectively dispassionately rationally logically sensibly responsibly accountable transparent open honest trustworthy ethical moral compass guiding decisions choices actions interactions others around near far alike universally accepted norms standards conduct behavior expected adhere follow comply abide faithfully diligently consistently unfailingly unwaveringly resolutely steadfastly committed pursuing truth justice fairness equity equality opportunity prosperity harmony goodwill friendship understanding cooperation collaboration mutual respect tolerance acceptance diversity inclusion empowerment engagement participation involvement contribution support encouragement motivation inspiration aspiration dreams aspirations goals ambitions visions hopes desires aspirations dreams come true reality realized fulfilled achieved accomplished attained reached surpassed exceeded surpassed beyond imagination expectation anticipation contemplation speculation conjecture assumption presumption hypothesis theory premise proposition argument assertion claim statement declaration pronouncement proclamation announcement communication expression articulation conveyance transmission dissemination broadcast publication distribution circulation dissemination spread propagation diffusion dispersal scatter scattering dispersion emission ejection discharge release expulsion extrusion projection launch launching initiation commencement start beginning onset outset opening introduction inception origin source genesis birth creation formation development evolution growth progress advancement improvement enhancement refinement perfection optimization maximization augmentation expansion extension increase multiplication addition supplementation enrichment fortification strengthening reinforcement consolidation stabilization maintenance preservation conservation protection safeguarding defense shielding guarding securing insuring assuring guaranteeing warranting ensuring certainty surety assurance confidence trust belief faith reliance dependence assurance guarantee warranty insurance coverage policy plan scheme program strategy tactic approach method technique procedure process system mechanism device tool instrument apparatus equipment machinery appliance contraption gadget widget gizmo doohickey thingamajig thingumabob whatchamacallit whatsit doodad doodah doofer doover whosit whatsisname whatshisname whosits whatchamacallhim whatsyername whatshername whatshisface what's-his-name what's-her-name who's-it who's-it's what's-its-face what's-its-name what's-their-name what's-their-face what's-their-names who-is-it who-is-that what-is-that which-one-which-ones-who-whom-whose-whatever-whichever-whoever-however-nevertheless-notwithstanding-despite-in-spite-of-even-though-albeit-yet-still-however-nonetheless-anyway-anyhow-at-any-rate-all-the-same-after-all-for-all-that-be-that-as-it-may-granted-given-this-being-so-thus-therefore-hence-consequently-as-a-result-so-because-of-due-to-owing-to-on-account-of-by-reason-of-by-means-of-through-via-with-the-help-of-with-the-aid-of-without-prejudice-reservation-exception-limitation-condition-restriction-qualification-modification-adjustment-amendment-change-alteration-revision-correction-updating-upgrade-improvement-enhancement-refinement-perfection