A Virginia resident, Luis Alonso Argueta-Diaz, has been charged with conspiracy to transport an illegal alien after arranging and financing the smuggling of a 17-year-old unaccompanied minor from Honduras into the United States. The arrest was made following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in collaboration with federal and state partners.
Argueta-Diaz, 35, was apprehended on May 19 in Virginia without incident. According to court documents, the minor was detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents on May 3 near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, after unlawfully entering the country. Investigations revealed that Argueta-Diaz had organized and partially funded her entry into the U.S., intending for her to reside with him and assist in caring for his children.
He faces charges of conspiracy to transport an illegal alien and will remain in custody pending trial; no trial date has been set yet. If found guilty, Argueta-Diaz could face up to 10 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
"This criminality – carried out by individuals, businesses, and transnational criminal organizations – is not only a threat to the unaccompanied alien children themselves but also to the broader communities in which they live and to the public safety and national security of the United States," stated ICE officials.
The public can report suspicious activities related to such cases via the ICE Tip Line available 24/7 at 866-DHS-2-ICE. Reports are taken by trained specialists concerning over 400 laws enforced by ICE.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
