PHOENIX — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has announced criminal charges against 204 individuals during a weeklong immigration enforcement effort from March 29 through April 4, 2025.
The sweep included 83 cases of illegal reentry, 107 cases of illegal entry, and 13 cases targeting 14 individuals accused of smuggling undocumented migrants across and within the Arizona border.
Federal agencies involved in the operation included ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and ATF.
Significant Cases Highlight Criminal Smuggling Operations
United States v. Ivan Mauricio Hernandez-Mosqueda:
A Mexican national, Hernandez-Mosqueda was sentenced on April 2 to 46 months in prison for Conspiracy to Encourage and Induce Illegal Entry. Between 2023 and his arrest in May 2024, he coordinated the smuggling of more than 100 individuals, coaching many to falsely claim asylum.
Case No. CR-24-00820-PHX-KMLUnited States v. Gabriel Santiago-Ramirez:
On April 1, Santiago-Ramirez, also unlawfully present in the U.S., attempted to flee from Border Patrol on Interstate 40 near Kingman after being pulled over. Three undocumented individuals were found in his SUV. Agents tracked and arrested him in the desert. He was charged with Transportation of Illegal Aliens.
Case No. 25-MJ-01441-JFM
Feds Continue Efforts to Deter Border Violations
These actions are part of a broader federal initiative aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration and human smuggling operations. Prosecutors say coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies are helping disrupt smuggling networks and hold repeat offenders accountable.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reiterated that charges do not imply guilt, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
