The leader of a migrant smuggling organization was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for her role in smuggling over 100 migrants from Honduras to the United States for profit.
“Today’s sentencing again highlights the extraordinary work being done by our Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel who, day in and day out, are relentless in their mission to disrupt and dismantle dangerous smuggling operations and to secure our border,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “This sentencing is a testament to the partnership and collaboration this Administration has strengthened across the federal enterprise, and with our allies in countries such as Honduras and Mexico, to crack down on criminal organizations. We will continue our work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to attack the ruthless smuggling operations that prey on the vulnerable and cause so much death and trauma.”
“Today’s sentencing is the latest example of the great work of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which we launched nearly three years ago to hold accountable the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling groups, and which has obtained more than 240 convictions to date,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This defendant exploited vulnerable migrants for her own profit, risking their lives and our national security in the process. Together with our partners across the federal government, the Justice Department will continue our efforts to dismantle and disrupt human smuggling networks like those the defendant operated.”
“Cooperation and collaboration are key tools in protecting America from the reach of international human smuggling organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona. “We thank Honduras for its willingness to extradite, the various local agencies who interdicted migrants and helped us make the connection to a larger organization, and all of the JTFA partners for dismantling a smuggling network.”
According to court documents, Maria Mendoza-Mendoza, also known as La Guera, 52, of Honduras coordinated the movement of migrants from Honduras to the U.S.-Mexico border where they were detained until their smuggling fees were paid at stash houses operated in Phoenix, Arizona. The organization used funnel accounts to collect millions of dollars in fees. Mendoza-Mendoza exercised her authority within the organization by threatening punitive sanctions—she threatened to “bleed out” a guide as punishment—and demanded that a migrant whose family did not pay his fee be thrown “back in the desert.”
“Human smuggling is an insidious crime one that this defendant participated in over 100 times—all for profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Fransisco B. Burrola of HSI Arizona. “Human smugglers do nothing but prey on vulnerable people who at times pay with their lives while crossing the border. Smugglers endanger exploit people by using dangerous networks that threaten safety communities national security; HSI committed combatting cross-border crime along partner law enforcement agencies Let this sentencing serve warning other smugglers contemplating continued participation—prison awaits you.”
Mendoza-Mendoza was indicted January 2018 extradited from Honduras United States June 2023 pleaded guilty Jan conspiracy transport illegal aliens profit.
This prosecution resulted from coordinated efforts JTFA established Secretary Homeland Security Alejandro N Mayorkas Attorney General Merrick B Garland June marshal investigative prosecutorial resources Justice Department partnership Department Homeland Security DHS enhance enforcement efforts against prolific dangerous human trafficking groups operating Mexico Guatemala El Salvador Honduras task force focuses disrupting dismantling networks abuse exploit endanger pose threats involved organized crime Since creation achieved significant results including arrests leaders organizers facilitators convictions defendants sentenced jail sentences imposed seizures forfeiture assets contraband cash real property vehicles firearms ammunition drugs indictments successful extradition requests foreign leadership targets
HSI Sells Office investigated case significant assistance Border Patrol Tucson Sector numerous state local law enforcement agencies throughout country Justice Department Office International Affairs worked law enforcement partners secure arrest extradition Mendoza-Mendoza Marshals Service assisted extradition efforts
U.S Attorney’s Office District Arizona prosecuted case
