Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California have filed over 100 border-related cases this week. The charges include transportation of illegal aliens, reentry into the U.S. after deportation, importation of controlled substances, and assault on a federal officer.
The Southern District of California is among the busiest federal districts due to its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border. This district includes San Diego and Imperial counties, which share a 140-mile border with Mexico and feature the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world's busiest land border crossing.
In addition to handling reactive border-related crimes, this district prosecutes cases involving terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, and national security.
Recent arrests include Gabriel Yeraldi Gaona on March 8 for alien smuggling after attempting to bring two Mexican citizens into the U.S. On March 9, Antonio Lerma Cervantes was charged with drug importation when found with over 60 pounds of cocaine at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Edy Osorio-Berrelleza was arrested on March 12 for attempting to transport a Mexican citizen within the U.S., also facing charges for throwing rocks at law enforcement during his arrest.
Federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens involved in criminal activities such as drug and firearms offenses or those with serious criminal records. Authorities prioritize investigations against smugglers who threaten community safety and law enforcement officers.
These immigration cases were referred by federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, DEA, FBI, USMS, ATF, along with state and local partners.
Indictments are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
