18 members of Yuma-based human smuggling ring charged for transporting immigrants
Sep 27, 2024, 9:00 PM
Eighteen members of a human smuggling ring based out of Yuma were charged for transporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – Eighteen members of a human smuggling ring based out of Yuma were charged for transporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced on Friday.
The members were all allegedly part of the smuggling organization, La Mesa, which worked for a Mexico-based transnational criminal organization known as Los Rusos, according to authorities.
La Mesa members were charged with smuggling immigrants through the Mexico border and further into the U.S.
The indictment claims that 24-year-old Carlos Moreno-Serrano was the leader of La Mesa. The other 17 members were involved in organizing smuggling operations, scouting for drivers, running stash houses, paying drivers and enforcement. The names of all 18 members charged are:
- Victor Eduardo Araiza-Ponce, 24, of Yuma
- Antonio Aparicio III, 24, of Somerton
- Alex Chiquete, 25, of Yuma
- Crystobal Figueroa, 23, of Somerton
- Francisco Javier Esparza-Macias, 21, of Somerton
- Alonzo Esparza, 27, of Yuma
- Elian Lopez, 24, of Yuma
- David Leon-Pallanes, 23, of Yuma
- Joshua Guillermo Leon-Fuentes, 21, of Somerton
- Jose Gabriel Marquez-Mendiola, 32, of Yuma
- Carlos Moreno-Serrano, 24, of Yuma
- Xasiel Noriega-Gonzalez, 21, of Somerton
- Hector Eduardo-Valdez, 31, of Yuma
- Saul Ponce Jr., 23, of San Luis
- Raymundo Delgado-Diaz, 35, of Yuma
- Isreal Zeveda, 23, of Salinas, California
- Angel Rodriguez, 23, of Yuma
- Manuel Uriel Alvarado, 26, of Yuma
Every member was indicted for conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens for profit and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. If convicted each charge carries up to 10 years in prison and fine of up to $250,000.
The indictment followed several arrests by U.S. Border Patrol-Intelligence (BPI) who detained drivers of immigrants in Arizona and California. The investigation from the drivers revealed that La Mesa operated out of Yuma and Somerton.
After the arrests of some of its drivers, the indictment alleges that the organization adapted by taking smaller groups of immigrants to southern California. The group is accused of kidnapping, assaulting, and threatening members as retribution for being arrested.
Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol–Yuma Field Intelligence, El Centro Border Patrol and Indio Border Patrol are conducting the investigation.
