ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix man sentenced for conspiring to smuggle 5 undocumented migrants

Feb 10, 2024, 5:45 AM

Phoenix driver sentenced for conspiring to smuggle 5 undocumented migrants...

(Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

PHOENIX — A Phoenix man was sentenced to two years in prison for conspiring to smuggle five border crossers into the U.S., federal authorities announced Friday.

Dinero Devon Washington, 46, also faces 36 months of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said in a press release.

Washington pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport undocumented migrants on Sept. 7, 2023, prosecutors said.

Why was the Phoenix man sentenced for conspiring to smuggle people into the U.S.?

Washington allegedly conspired to smuggle the five undocumented migrants on April 16, 2021.

Prosecutors said he and his co-conspirator, Alina Pablo, drove in a Ford F-150 toward a Border Patrol checkpoint in Ajo.

“Border Patrol agents noted five other passengers in the vehicle, all wearing camouflaged clothing with backpacks and carpeting on their shoes,” prosecutors said.

The passengers were citizens of either Mexico or Guatemala with no permission to enter the U.S., prosecutors said.

The Phoenix office of Homeland Security Investigations handled this case. They found evidence Washington conspired to transport them after taking his cell phone and finding:

– Pin drops.
– Maps.
– Text messages.

The evidence showed he had planned and organized logistics of the smuggling effort, prosecutors said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Uhl with the District of Arizona, Yuma handled the prosecution in this case.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

One woman has died after a crash in north Phoenix Tuesday, authorities said....

Bailey Leasure

North Phoenix collision leaves 1 woman dead, another hospitalized

One woman has died after a crash in north Phoenix on Tuesday, authorities said.

31 minutes ago

Collision in Peoria...

Danny Shapiro

2 dead in Peoria collision; speed, impairment possible factors

Two people, an 86-year-old woman and 90-year-old man, died after a collision in Peoria on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

36 minutes ago

One man has died and another is in critical condition after a shooting in west Phoenix on Tuesday, ...

Bailey Leasure

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after west Phoenix shooting

One man has died and another is in critical condition after a shooting in west Phoenix on Tuesday, authorities said.

2 hours ago

Health care for prisoners in Arizona...

Associated Press

Lawyers for inmates ask judge to take over health care services in Arizona prisons

Lawyers for 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona have asked a judge to take over health care operations in state-run prisons and appoint an official to run them, saying the state is not capable of fixing deep failures in care even though it has been required to do so over the last decade.

3 hours ago

Vehicle into a tanker...

KTAR.com

Man drove car into tanker in Glendale hoping it would blow up, police say

A man who wanted to kill himself drove his vehicle into a tanker in Glendale thinking it would blow up on Wednesday morning, authorities said.

4 hours ago

...

Sponsored Content by Bright Wealth Management

How updating your estate plan is crucial in saving money

As you map out your estate plan, mapping out beneficiaries and keeping it up to date is key in order for the most funds possible to be passed down with ease.

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

Phoenix man sentenced for conspiring to smuggle 5 undocumented migrants