Eighteen individuals involved in a Yuma-based human smuggling ring known as La Mesa have been sentenced following a joint investigation by the United States Border Patrol and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. The last defendant was sentenced on November 21, 2025, by United States District Judge Krissa M. Lanham.
The investigation revealed that La Mesa operated from Yuma and Somerton, Arizona, working on behalf of Los Rusos, a transnational criminal organization based in Mexico. Authorities connected cases involving the transportation of undocumented immigrants across districts in Arizona and California before arresting members of the group in September 2024.
According to officials, La Mesa was responsible for smuggling or attempting to smuggle hundreds of people across the U.S.-Mexico border into various parts of the United States. The organization was led by Carlos Moreno-Serrano, who directed managers overseeing smuggling events, stash houses, money distribution, and enforcement operations. Managers coordinated drivers and staff involved in transporting undocumented immigrants.
Between 2022 and September 2024, members used violence and threats to maintain control within their ranks. Incidents included kidnapping rival smugglers or those who failed to deliver as promised, robbing and extorting individuals associated with their operation.
One kidnapping in January 2023 involved Saul Ponce Jr., Crystobal Figueroa, Angel Rodriguez, Antonio Aparicio III, and Joshua Leon-Fuentes abducting a man at gunpoint. The event was filmed; Figueroa handed a firearm to Leon-Fuentes who threatened the victim while others cautioned against killing him near a highway.
In another incident during mid-2023, Leon-Fuentes, Aparicio, and Rodriguez attempted to kidnap a woman caught smuggling after she could not pay $20,000 demanded by La Mesa for lost profits. She paid $10,000 but was threatened with being taken to Mexico for punishment. During this attempt, local police intervened before further harm occurred.
The conspiracy also saw several defendants fleeing law enforcement at high speeds while transporting undocumented immigrants—leading to severe injuries among passengers during crashes. Juveniles were sometimes recruited as drivers; one such driver crashed into a canal with two dozen passengers inside.
“The facts of the criminal conduct here involving violence, kidnapping, firearms, and severe injury show why La Mesa or similar organizations engaging in harboring and transporting illegal aliens are so dangerous to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “The excellent efforts of our Border Patrol, and other law enforcement partners, are keeping Americans safe every day and we thank them for their hard work leading to the exceptional results in this case.”
Those convicted faced sentences ranging from probation up to more than seven years’ imprisonment:
- Victor Eduardo Araiza-Ponce: Time served plus three years supervised release
- Antonio Aparicio III: 68 months’ imprisonment
- Alonzo Esparza: 10 months’ imprisonment
- Carlos Moreno-Serrano: 90 months’ imprisonment
- Xasiel Noriega-Gonzalez: 78 months’ imprisonment
- Joshua Guillermo Leon-Fuentes: 60 months’ imprisonment
- Angel Rodriguez: 54 months’ imprisonment
- Crystobal Figueroa: 66 months’ imprisonment
- Saul Ponce Jr.: 30 months’ imprisonment
- David Leon-Pallanes: Three years supervised release
- Manuel Uriel Alvarado: 24 months’ imprisonment
- Elian Lopez: Twelve months probation
- Raymundo Delgado-Diaz: Three years probation
- Isreal Zeveda: Twelve months probation
- Francisco Javier Esparza-Macias: Twelve months supervised release
- Alex Chiquete: Twenty-four months probation
- Hector Eduardo-Valdez: Eighteen months probation
- Jose Gabriel Marquez-Mendiola: Eighteen months probation
"The sentencing of the La Mesa smuggling organization members is a testament to the relentless pursuit of the rule of law and the cooperative efforts between the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Bringing these smugglers to justice serves as a clear warning: the U.S. Government will hold individuals accountable for their criminal actions,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle. “I am extremely proud of our agents and their dedication to our mission which ensures the safety of our communities and our great Nation."
Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol–Yuma Field Intelligence Unit led investigations alongside El Centro Border Patrol and Indio Border Patrol units; prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Arellano Edwards and Stuart J. Zander.
Further information about ongoing efforts can be found on http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/.
