Nathan Jr. Espinoza, a 23-year-old resident of Avondale, Arizona, pleaded guilty on August 6 to one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit. He will be sentenced on October 16, 2025, by United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez.
According to court documents and Espinoza's plea agreement, he recruited drivers and organized the transportation of undocumented individuals from areas near the Mexico border further into the United States. The scheme was conducted for personal financial benefit and involved transporting at least 25 people.
Espinoza also admitted that on March 6, 2024, he coordinated an incident in which two undocumented individuals were picked up near Lukeville, Arizona. During transport, they were told to exit the vehicle while it was still moving. Both left the vehicle; one sustained a serious head injury and died two days later in the hospital.
A conviction for this offense carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a fine up to $250 million.
The case resulted from efforts by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), which is part of a broader initiative led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and supported by various components within the Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration. JTFA focuses on dismantling human smuggling operations impacting U.S. borders and has so far led to over 405 arrests domestically and internationally, more than 350 convictions in the United States, over 305 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of assets. More details about JTFA can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao/az/.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted this investigation with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson.
