A federal grand jury in Phoenix has indicted Jorge Fontes-Garcia, a 25-year-old from Sonora, Mexico, on charges related to bringing illegal aliens into the United States. The indictment includes four counts: Bringing an Illegal Alien to the United States Unlawfully Resulting in Death, Conspiracy to Bring Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully, Bringing Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully, and Reentry of Removed Alien.
The charges stem from an incident on August 23, 2023. Fontes-Garcia allegedly led a group of eight individuals across the border from Mexico into southern Arizona. U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended seven of these individuals in the desert approximately 19 miles south of Tacna, Arizona. The eighth person was later found deceased due to excessive heat exposure.
According to legal guidelines, a conviction for Bringing Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully Resulting in Death can result in a maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000. The other charges carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 each.
It is important to note that an indictment does not imply guilt; it is merely a formal charge. The accused remains innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt by evidence presented before a jury.
The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection's United States Border Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Phoenix.