Mexican National Gets 10 Years for Deadly Alien Smuggling Role

A Mexican national was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role as a foot guide in a deadly alien smuggling conspiracy where he threatened witnesses to cover up his involvement after one migrant died from heat exposure in the New Mexico desert.

According to court documents, on July 18, 2023, Texas Department of Public Safety officers pulled over a vehicle driven by Jorge Luis Estrada-Velasquez, 40, with four undocumented aliens. The aliens informed agents that other members of their group were still in the desert a few miles away and one was very ill.

Border Patrol agents and emergency medical technicians located Rafael Radillo-Bernal, 40, and three others in the desert near Strauss Road in Doña Ana County and began rendering aid to the sick individual. Tragically, the victim succumbed to the heat and passed away.

Border Patrol took the surviving seven aliens, including Radillo-Bernal, and Estrada-Velasquez, into custody. Estrada-Velasquez was charged with Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and the seven aliens, including Radillo-Bernal, were designated as material witnesses.

Initially, none of the witnesses admitted to being the foot guide, and one claimed the guide had returned to Mexico. After their initial appearances, the witnesses were released to a halfway house in Las Cruces.

Subsequent interviews with the witnesses revealed consistent accounts of crossing late at night, walking for 8-9 hours with limited water, and the victim showing signs of illness early on due to diabetes. Radillo-Bernal initially claimed to have joined the group halfway through their journey after crossing the border alone. Radillo-Bernal stated that he walked with the victim, getting to know him, and encouraging him to continue when he started falling behind. Radillo-Bernal claimed he stayed with the victim while he called his family to say he was not going to make it before leaving him in the shade of a mesquite bush to find water and help.

On September 8, 2023, two witnesses came forward alleging that Radillo-Bernal was the foot guide and had threatened them to remain silent about his role in the conspiracy.

Rafael Radillo-Bernal pled guilty to transporting an illegal alien resulting in the death of any person. After completing his term of imprisonment, Radillo-Bernal will be subject to deportation proceedings.

Estrada-Velasquez pled guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens on October 19, 2023, and was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison. After completing his term of imprisonment, Estrada-Velasquez will be subject to deportation proceedings.