Smuggler Nicolas Duarte-Moreno found himself in hot water after attempting to sneak an undocumented immigrant into the United States through the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The Mexican citizen, charged with Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain, was nabbed by Customs and Border Protection officers as he drove a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder through a Sentri lane.
Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered the hidden immigrant from Guatemala, concealed in the cargo area where the convertible top retracts. During an attempt to extricate the immigrant, who complained of breathlessness, officials had to dismantle the cargo area by removing bolts and speakers. The immigrant was promptly taken to a hospital for evaluation.
The Southern District of California’s U.S. Attorney’s Office has been busier than ever, filing 84 border-related cases this week alone. This marks the fourth-busiest federal district in the country, with the high volume of border-related crimes being a significant factor. The region encompasses San Diego and Imperial counties, sharing a vast 140-mile border with Mexico.
Among the many cases brought before the court this week was that of Jorge Ismael Valencia-Julian, who was charged with Deported Alien Found in the United States after attempting to evade Border Patrol agents tracking his footprints for five hours. The Mexican citizen had previously been deported in March 2024.
Convictions were also handed down for previous border-related crimes. Ricardo Velez-Torres received a 21-month sentence for Illegal Reentry, having entered the U.S. again after being convicted of Burglary in the First Degree and Illegal Reentry in earlier years. Julio Leyva-Solis, with a criminal record that included felony facilitation of human smuggling, theft, and methamphetamine possession, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day for his illegal re-entry.
Under Operation Take Back America, federal law enforcement has focused on undocumented aliens involved in criminal activity, including drug and firearms crimes. The focus is clear: any activity that threatens the safety and security of the border is met with swift justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Lekhakul Brothers Busted in Thailand Gun Parts Scheme · Washington
- Hernandez Crew Busted for Meth & Heroin Ring · Washington
- James Hector Alcala: Fugitive Alien Smuggler Snared at California Port of Entry · Utah
- Coast-to-Coast Cocaine Ring Busted in Cleveland · Ohio
- Villarreal’s $5M Drug Ring Busted in San Diego · California
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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