During the week of March 1 to March 7, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has charged 227 individuals with immigration-related criminal offenses. The charges include 92 cases of illegal re-entry into the United States and 120 cases of illegal entry. Additionally, 12 cases have been filed against 15 individuals involved in smuggling illegal aliens within Arizona. One defendant was also charged with assaulting a Border Patrol agent.
The cases were supported by federal law enforcement agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
In one notable case, "United States v. Gerardo Tejada-Calleja," Edwin Santiago Marquez Flores was charged with Assault on a Federal Officer and Improper Entry by an Alien. On March 2, 2025, he allegedly assaulted a Border Patrol agent near Vamori, Arizona while attempting to evade capture.
Another significant case is "United States v. Jimenez-Aguilar," where Edgar Guadalupe Jimenez-Aguilar was indicted for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin. He was identified as an operator of a stash house used for alien smuggling.
It is emphasized that a criminal complaint does not imply guilt; individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
