Cesar Abraam Velasquez-Munoz, a 20-year-old from Peoria, has been sentenced to 52 months in prison for his involvement in an alien smuggling incident that resulted in a death. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez after Velasquez-Munoz pleaded guilty to charges related to transporting illegal aliens for profit and endangering lives.
The incident occurred on March 6, 2024, when Velasquez-Munoz and co-defendant Steven Beltran-Lugo picked up two illegal aliens near the Mexican border. They planned to smuggle them further into the United States while communicating with a Phoenix-based smuggling coordinator. During the journey, Border Patrol agents began following their vehicle. Velasquez-Munoz instructed the passengers to exit the moving car. The first individual jumped out at approximately 45 miles per hour, and when the second attempted to do so, Velasquez-Munoz accelerated, causing severe injuries that led to a brain hemorrhage and internal bleeding. The individual died two days later in the hospital.
This case is part of Joint Task Force Alpha's (JTFA) broader efforts against human smuggling networks impacting public safety and border security. JTFA is a collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expanded by the Attorney General to combat cartels and transnational criminal organizations in regions including Mexico and Central America.
The task force includes members from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, supported by various components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division such as the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP). DHS, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, among others, provide substantial law enforcement support.
To date, JTFA's operations have led to over 360 arrests domestically and internationally concerning alien smuggling leaders and facilitators. This has resulted in more than 330 convictions within the U.S., over 275 significant jail sentences imposed, and notable asset forfeitures.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted this particular investigation with prosecution handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson.