Rachel C. Hernandez Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona | U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
During a recent week of enforcement operations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged 329 individuals with immigration-related criminal offenses. From April 12 to April 18, 2025, cases were filed involving 130 instances of aliens illegally re-entering and 179 entering the U.S. unlawfully. The United States also pursued charges against individuals for smuggling and other related infractions.
The operations received support from several federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations, ICE Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Border Patrol, among others.
One notable case includes "United States v. Manuel Ivan Rodriguez-Loya," who was arrested on April 13 after leading authorities on a high-speed chase between New Mexico and Arizona. Border Patrol agents discovered Rodriguez-Loya was transporting eight illegal aliens from various countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
Another case, "United States v. Emilio Escobar-Escalante," concluded with his sentencing to 37 months for Reentry of Removed Alien. Escobar-Escalante was identified as a member of the Latin Kings and MS-13 gangs with a history of removal and previous convictions.
"United States v. Antonio Terrell Gaither" sees Gaither indicted for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. He allegedly used Telegram and disposable phones to coordinate the transport of illegal aliens to Phoenix.
Felipe Alonso-Cabada was charged with reentering after removal, using the alias Oscar Sanchez, and was previously convicted of trafficking heroin.
"United States v. Eduardo Prado Flores" involved Flores being charged with failing to register as an alien. Despite having been deported five times, he was found unlawfully present in the U.S. since 2022.
These charges fall under Operation Take Back America, a coordinated effort by the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration and related criminal activities.
"A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt," stated a release, reminding the public that each individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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