Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California have filed 135 border-related cases this week. The charges include bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The Southern District of California is one of the busiest federal districts due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district includes San Diego and Imperial counties, sharing a 140-mile border with Mexico. It features the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world's busiest land border crossing.
In addition to these reactive cases, the district prosecutes proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, and national security.
Among recent arrests:
- On May 28, Leonardo Arturo Sandez Leal was charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance after officers found methamphetamine and cocaine concealed in his vehicle at Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
- On May 23, Jorge Luis Perez-Florez and Rumualdo Morales-Perez were charged with Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain after being intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard off Point Loma with undocumented Mexican nationals aboard their boat.
- On May 29, Noel Lopez Uribe was charged with Deported Alien Found in the U.S., discovered hiding near brush in Otay Mesa after previously being removed from the U.S.
Recent convictions include:
- Raul Diaz was sentenced to six months for attempting illegal reentry into the U.S., having been previously convicted of embezzling public money.
- Temo Duble-Chaparro received an 18-month sentence for illegal reentry as a removed alien. This marks his fourth federal immigration conviction in four years.
Federal law enforcement has focused on prosecuting undocumented aliens engaged in criminal activity under Operation Take Back America priorities. Authorities are also prioritizing investigations against smugglers who threaten community safety.
These cases were referred or supported by various federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, 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 law enforcement partners.
Indictments and criminal complaints are allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
