Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California have filed 176 border-related cases this week. These cases involve charges such as assault on a federal officer, bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and the importation of controlled substances.
The Southern District of California, which includes San Diego and Imperial counties, is known for handling a high volume of border-related crimes due to its proximity to the Mexico border. The district encompasses the San Ysidro Port of Entry, a major land border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana.
In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the district also prosecutes cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, and national security.
Recent arrests include:
- On May 8th, Ismael Castro-Gonzalez was charged with assault on a federal officer and attempted entry after deportation. A complaint states that Castro attacked Border Patrol agents while attempting to cross the border.
- On May 6th, Rosa Cervantez was charged with importing controlled substances when officers discovered fentanyl and cocaine hidden in her car.
- On May 7th, Salvador Hernandez was charged with smuggling methamphetamine through Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
- On May 7th, Jose Tomas Lopez-Navarro was charged with attempted entry using a counterfeit passport at San Ysidro Pedestrian East Port of Entry.
Other recent convictions include:
- Abner Leon-Mote found guilty by a jury for attempted reentry after deportation.
- Omar Laveaga-Flores sentenced for illegal reentry into the U.S.
- Juan Melgoza-Soto and Santiago Alfredo Gonzalez Hara sentenced for bringing an undocumented alien into the U.S.
- Martin Josue Gutierrez sentenced for transporting certain aliens.
These prosecutions align with Operation Take Back America priorities focused on prosecuting undocumented individuals involved in criminal activities in the U.S., including drug and firearm offenses. Federal authorities are prioritizing investigations against those who threaten community safety.
The immigration cases were supported by various federal law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF) alongside state and local partners.
"Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations," reminds officials emphasizing that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."