Arizona man sentenced to 4 years in prison for human smuggling

PHOENIX — An Arizona man was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in smuggling undocumented immigrants into the United States, authorities said Thursday.

Benjamin Gallegos, 24, of Tucson, previously pleaded guilty on Feb. 3 to conspiracy to transport and harbor undocumented immigrants for profit for his role in organizing, managing and supervising others within an organization that smuggled individuals, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona said in a press release.

He coordinated with other co-conspirators to help smuggle people into Arizona from Mexico, Central America and South America by offering guide services and transportation to those seeking to enter the country.

Gallegos was charged in 2018, but he remained a fugitive until his arrest in 2021.

The prosecution was a result of efforts made by the Joint Task Force Alpha, which was created in 2021 to enhance U.S. enforcements efforts against human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, the release said.

The JTFA is made up from various government organizations, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration and law enforcement agents and analysts from the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Follow @KTAR923