PHOENIX, Ariz. – A Phoenix man has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a human smuggling operation. Jesus Alexandro Sanchez-Armenta, 23, was sentenced by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 72 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Sanchez-Armenta pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit on February 22, 2024. He coordinated and/or recruited his co-conspirators through social media sites, including Snapchat, to pick up undocumented noncitizens in Southern Arizona and transport them further into the United States for profit.
Sanchez-Armenta provided his co-conspirators with instructions on how and where to pick up the undocumented noncitizens. Either he or another member of the conspiracy would provide the co-conspirators with GPS coordinates for where to pick up the undocumented noncitizens, and then provided them with transportation routes designed to circumvent detection by law enforcement.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations–Casa Grande and Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol–Tucson Sector. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Zander, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
The case against Sanchez-Armenta is a stark reminder of the dangers of human smuggling operations. These operations often put the lives of undocumented noncitizens at risk, and can also lead to serious consequences for those involved.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, is committed to combating human smuggling and protecting the public. This sentence is a significant step forward in that effort.
CASE NUMBER: CR-23-0259-PHX-DJH. RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-106_Sanchez-Armenta.
Related Federal Cases
- Amalia Gonzalez-Lara, Human Smuggling Conspiracy, Arizona 2024 · Texas
- Manuel Victor Gastelum, Human Smuggling, Arizona 2024 · Arkansas
- Shatasia Emoney Sanders Taylor, Human Smuggling Assault, Arizona 2023 · New Mexico
- Jesus Ernesto Dessens-Romero, Human Smuggling, Arizona, 2023 · Missouri
- Michael Dashun Howard, Human Smuggling, Texas 2023 · Missouri
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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