U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that FRANCISCO ARENIVAR-CASTILLO, age 37, a citizen of El Salvador, was charged yesterday in a one-count bill of information with transporting aliens, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324(a)(1)(A)(ii).
According to the bill of information, on March 8, 2018, ICE agents intercepted FRANCISCO ARENIVAR-CASTILLO while he was driving an illegal alien from Houston, Texas to Miami, Florida, through St. Tammany Parish. FRANCISCO ARENIVAR-CASTILLO knew his passenger was illegally present in the United States, yet he nevertheless agreed to transport the individual to a work-site in the Miami area for employment.
If convicted, FRANCISCO ARENIVAR-CASTILLO faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, one year supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 special assessment.
U. S. Attorney Evans reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
