West Valley man found guilty in human trafficking case

PHOENIX — A federal jury convicted a Tolleson man of human smuggling charges last week, authorities said.

The jurors convicted 23-year-old Nathan Isaiah Solano of two counts of smuggling noncitizens for profit, according to a Wednesday news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Arizona.

Solano was also convicted of one count of conspiring to transport undocumented migrants.

A three-day jury trial preceded his guilty verdicts. His sentencing is set for May 21.

Why Tolleson man found guilty of smuggling noncitizens for profit

Solano allegedly picked up two undocumented migrants in desert brush off the side of the Arizona State Route 85 highway, which is near the U.S.-Mexico border, on Sept. 19, 2023.

The two people had been waiting for him, and a foot guide traveling with them helped them into Solano’s Jeep, prosecutors said.

Border Patrol agents then followed Solano before pulling him over. The agents found the two noncitizens curled up in the rear cargo area of the vehicle, prosecutors said.

Solano allegedly told the Border Patrol agents they were hitchhikers he had picked up.

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