During the week from April 12 to April 18, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged 329 individuals with immigration-related criminal conduct. This includes 130 cases of illegal reentry into the United States and charges against 179 individuals for illegal entry. Additionally, 18 individuals were charged with smuggling illegal aliens, and one person was charged with failing to register as required by law. Federal law enforcement partners, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), referred or supported these cases.
One notable case is United States v. Manuel Ivan Rodriguez-Loya. On April 13, 2025, Rodriguez-Loya was arrested for transporting illegal aliens. After a high-speed chase from New Mexico into Arizona, agents discovered Rodriguez-Loya was transporting eight illegal aliens, including citizens from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. [Case Number: MJ-25-00365-TUC-BGM]
Another case involves Emilio Escobar-Escalante, who on April 15, 2025, was sentenced to 37 months for reentry after removal. Escobar-Escalante, discovered by Border Patrol near Vamori, Arizona, on January 10, 2024, falsely identified himself initially. He has prior convictions for illegal reentry and other criminal activities. [Case Number: CR-24-00541-TUC-CKJ]
On April 15, 2025, Antonio Terrell Gaither was indicted for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. Gaither admitted to using Telegram and burner phones for recruiting purposes. [Case Number: CR-25-00566-PHX-KLM]
Felipe Alonso-Cabada, also known as Oscar Sanchez, was charged on April 17, 2025, for reentry after being deported following a heroin trafficking conviction. [Case number: MJ-25-5220-PHX-DMF]
Eduardo Prado Flores was charged on April 17, 2025, for failing to register as an alien. Prado Flores, unlawfully present in the U.S. since 2022, was arrested for a DUI and had previously been removed from the U.S. five times. [Case Number: MJ-25-5225-PHX]
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, focusing on combating illegal immigration and associated criminal activities. It involves resources from the Department of Justice, including the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).