The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico has released its weekly report on immigration enforcement, highlighting a range of criminal charges. These cases are prosecuted in collaboration with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, with support from other federal, state, and county agencies.
For the week ending March 7, 2025, several individuals faced charges related to immigration offenses in New Mexico:
- 52 individuals were charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation.
- 8 individuals faced charges of Alien Smuggling.
- 23 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry.
A notable case involved Isaias David Jose and Tomas Mateo Gaspar, who were charged with hostage taking and harboring illegal aliens. The FBI's Albuquerque Field Office executed a search warrant at a residence where they found 10 illegal aliens. Among them was a victim who reported being held in a locked room under threat of being handed over to the "Mexican mafia" unless an $18,000 ransom was paid by his family. This prompted an investigation leading to the victim's rescue.
In another investigation, Jose Ruiz-Gamez, Uzziel Carmona-Lopez, and Donaciano Carmona-Lopez were charged as aliens in possession of firearms following a traffic stop by Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Police Department. During this stop, two firearms were discovered.
Additionally, Roberto Rodrigo Velazquez-Lopez was charged after fleeing from a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint with four illegal aliens in his vehicle.
These prosecutions reflect efforts by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only and do not include those processed solely through administrative procedures by immigration officials.
Under current leadership, maintaining public safety and securing borders remain top priorities for the district. Enhanced enforcement has targeted aliens engaged in unlawful activities or those with serious criminal backgrounds involving human trafficking and violence against children.
The District of New Mexico covers 33 counties and shares a 180-mile border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work closely with various law enforcement partners to address immigration-related crimes and other federal offenses.