Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California have filed 81 border-related cases this week. The charges include bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importing controlled substances.
The Southern District of California is one of the busiest federal districts due to its 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 reactive crimes, this district prosecutes cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, and national security.
Recent arrests include Wilmar Morales Ramirez on June 28 at Camp Pendleton for being a deported alien found in the U.S., Almida Ayala Torres on June 29 at San Ysidro Port for importing methamphetamine, Daniel Yanez Arriaga on June 30 at Otay Mesa Port for importing fentanyl, and Fernando Ojeda Martinez on July 2 at San Ysidro Port for importing methamphetamine.
Several defendants with criminal records were also convicted or sentenced this week. Anderson Fabricio Leon-Chirinos was found guilty of attempted re-entry after previous deportations; sentencing is set for September 29. Juan Carlos Ojeda-Saldana received a sentence of 70 months for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Ana Maria Rosas-Ortega was sentenced to 46 months for attempting illegal reentry.
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 federal law enforcement partners 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 law enforcement partners.
Indictments and criminal complaints are allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
