Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California have filed 134 border-related cases this week. These cases include charges such as bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is among the busiest federal districts due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district covers San Diego and Imperial counties and shares a 140-mile border with Mexico, including the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which is noted as the world’s busiest land border crossing.
In addition to handling reactive border-related crimes, this district also prosecutes proactive cases involving terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, and national security.
Recent arrests highlight ongoing efforts to address these issues:
- On May 16, Elizabeth Janeth Ramirez-Martinez was arrested at Otay Mesa Port of Entry for allegedly bringing in aliens for financial gain. A Vietnamese national was reportedly found hidden in her vehicle.
- On May 19, Fernanda Barrios Monzon faced charges for bringing in unlawful aliens without presentation and importing controlled substances after being stopped at San Ysidro Port of Entry with a man concealed under her children's feet and methamphetamine hidden throughout her vehicle.
- On May 20, Gustavo Hernandez Oliveros was charged with being a deported alien found in the U.S., having been previously deported in November 2018.
Additionally, several defendants with criminal records were recently convicted or sentenced:
- Jair Valdez-Hernandez received a 10-month sentence on May 23 for illegally entering the U.S., following previous convictions.
- Rogelio Herrera-Rodriguez was sentenced to 24 months on May 23 for reentering illegally after prior convictions.
- Sacramento Sagrero-Pahua received a 36-month sentence on May 23 for guiding illegal aliens into the U.S.
- Oscar Eduardo Audelo-Rodriguez was sentenced to eight months on May 19 for alien smuggling after fleeing from border patrol agents by boat.
These actions align with Operation Take Back America priorities focusing on prosecuting undocumented aliens involved in criminal activities such as drug and firearms offenses. Federal authorities are prioritizing investigations against smugglers who threaten community safety.
The immigration cases were supported by various federal law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with state and local partners.
It is important to note that indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
