Merrick B. Garland Attorney General at U.S. Department of Justice | Official Website
Jesus Ernesto Dessens-Romero, 28, was sentenced to 120 months after being found guilty of multiple offenses, including conspiracy to transport and transportation of illegal aliens for profit and bringing in illegal aliens to the United States for profit. The sentence was announced on July 2 in a news release from the US Department of Justice.
"Human smugglers profit from the exploitation of migrants and routinely expose them to violence, injury, and death. Today’s sentence shows the Justice Department will continue to hold accountable these smugglers and the criminal networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants," said US Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in the July 2 news release.
In addition to the charges regarding transportation of illegal aliens for profit and bringing illegal aliens into the United States for profit, Dessens-Romero was found by a jury to have placed human life in danger during and in relation to these offenses. He was sentenced by US District Judge John Hinderaker for the District of Arizona.
According to trial evidence, Dessens-Romero acted as a human smuggling foot guide for five Mexican nationals who illegally crossed into the country around February 13, 2021. The group included three sisters aged 17, 20, and 23, along with a 16-year-old family friend. They were led through the Huachuca Mountains near Fort Huachuca by Dessens-Romero to avoid law enforcement presence. With limited food and water and facing varied weather conditions, by February 15, the 23-year-old became sick, unable to eat, walk or follow simple commands. Dessens-Romero left her behind without calling emergency services but did contact a transnational criminal smuggling organization before leading the rest of the group to Sierra Vista where they were picked up and transported further into the US.
Family members filed a missing person’s report on February 16, 2021. Despite search efforts from multiple agencies including US Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), military officials from Fort Huachuca, and Cochise County Sheriff’s Department, she remained missing until November 20, 2021. On that date members of SOS Busqueda y Rescate found skeletal remains confirmed to be those of the missing woman.
According to evidence presented at trial, Dessens-Romero continued smuggling migrants in the US until his arrest on June 30, 2021 with two migrants he was transporting.
The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona includes approximately 180 assistant US Attorneys (AUSAs) and is led by US Attorney Gary M. Restaino. There are two large offices in Phoenix and Tucson as well as smaller offices in Yuma and Flagstaff according to information available on the Justice Department’s website focusing on the District of Arizona.
