Rachel C. Hernandez Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona | U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona
During the week of May 3 to May 9, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged 314 individuals with immigration-related crimes. Among these, 117 cases involved illegal re-entry into the United States, while 166 charges were related to illegal entry. Additionally, 25 cases were filed against 31 individuals accused of smuggling illegal aliens within Arizona.
These actions 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, Marco Antonio Ruelas-Solis was charged on May 3 with possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully present in the United States and reentry of a removed alien after being found with a pistol and ammunition in Tonto National Forest. Another case involved Clayton Line Wilhite, who was arrested on May 4 for transporting an illegal alien after leading officers on a vehicle chase.
The U.S. Attorney's Office emphasized that a criminal complaint is merely a charge and does not imply guilt; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts from various Department of Justice initiatives.
