A 27-year-old migrant smuggler from Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court to alien smuggling charges and admitted to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old female during travel to the United States.
Cecilio Yonatan Jimenez-Bautista, of Mexico, led at least 25 undocumented aliens from Mexico into the United States on multiple occasions from March 15, 2022, to June 29, 2022. The smuggling fees ranged from at least $5,000 to $9,500 per migrant.
In particular, from June 14, 2022, to June 16, 2022, Jimenez-Bautista and another individual led a group of 10 undocumented migrants from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico to an area near Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista, California. The group included the minor.
According to his plea agreement, Jimenez-Bautista admitted that on June 14 and 15, 2022, he isolated the juvenile from the group and touched her breasts and genitalia without permission. On June 16, 2022, he sexually assaulted her, causing serious bodily injury.
“The defendant had no regard for this child’s humanity,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The brutal victimization of a 17-year-old minor is yet another example of the cruelty of smugglers who care only about profit.”
Jimenez-Bautista is scheduled to be sentenced on January 29, 2024.
Related Federal Cases
- Frank Hamilton Sentenced to 5.5 Years for SBA Scam, California, 2023 · Alabama
- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Pennsylvania
- McKenzie Earley Faces Federal Charges in California · California
- Juan Rodriguez Sentenced to Decades for Major Drug Smuggling, New Y… · New Mexico
- Claudio Rene Sunux, Methamphetamine Smuggling and Bribery, San Fran… · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Human Trafficking|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News