Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California have initiated 116 border-related cases this week. Charges encompass transportation of illegal aliens, bringing in aliens for financial gain, receipt of bribes by public officials, reentry into the U.S. after deportation, deported aliens found in the United States, and importation of controlled substances.
The Southern District of California, noted as the fourth-busiest federal district, encounters a significant volume of border-related crimes due to its jurisdiction over San Diego and Imperial counties. This region shares a 140-mile border with Mexico and hosts the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world's most frequented land border crossing, linking San Diego and Tijuana.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in this district also deals with proactive cases related to various crimes, including terrorism, organized crime, drugs, and cybercrime.
A breakdown of some arrests includes six Mexican nationals detained on April 10 for immigration violations. Border Patrol agents apprehended them about three miles east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Those arrested were initially handcuffed but fled temporarily. The individuals, identified as Jose Lastra Palafox, Pedro Orlando Aguilar-Vazquez, Javier Eduardo Jimenez Gonzalez, Jose Javier Solis Jardon, Joel Alonso Soria-Garcia, and Lazaro Velazquez Morales, were eventually recaptured.
On April 6, U.S. citizen Jose Manuel Guzman was charged with importation of a controlled substance. A dog from U.S. Customs and Border Protection detected methamphetamine in his vehicle during an inspection at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Authorities discovered 115 packages of methamphetamine, weighing 125 pounds, hidden within various parts of the vehicle.
On April 7, several Mexican nationals, including Raul Vallejo-Isordia and Victor Manuel Quintero Sanez, were charged with attempted bringing in aliens for financial gain. They were involved in smuggling 17 undocumented immigrants, which U.S. Coast Guard intercepted near Point Loma. Additionally, Dennis Geovanny Marquez-Cordova from Honduras was arrested and charged with being a deported alien found in the United States.
The focus of federal law enforcement on immigration prosecutions remains on undocumented aliens engaged in criminal activities, such as drug and firearm offenses. Priority is also given to prosecuting smugglers who pose threats to community safety.
These cases have involved collaborative efforts with various federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and others. Indictments and criminal complaints are formal allegations with all defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
