Tempe man sentenced to 2 years in prison for human smuggling conspiracy

PHOENIX – A Tempe man was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a human smuggling conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced on Tuesday.

A U.S District judge sentenced Obiel Anthony Ochoa-Renteria last week to two years in prison and three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit.

Between June and September 2022, Ochoa-Renteria was caught recruiting participants and coordinating smuggling events through social media. A Homeland Security investigation looking into smuggling attempts for immigrants lacking permanent legal status found Ochoa-Renteria’s Instagram account.

In May 2023, Ochoa-Renteria was stopped near Sierra Vista for speeding. Department of Public Safety troopers and Border Patrol agents found two men dressed in camouflage in Ochoa-Renteria’s trunk. The men were identified as being from Guatemala and Mexico who were illegally in the U.S.

Ochoa-Renteria admitted that he agreed to transport the men for $200 to $300 each.

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