Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California have filed 116 border-related cases this week. The charges include bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The Southern District of California is one of the busiest federal districts due to its proximity to the border, covering San Diego and Imperial counties with a 140-mile border shared with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, noted as the world’s busiest land border crossing.
Apart from reactive crimes at the border, this district also handles proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking, and national security.
Among recent arrests:
– On June 9, Alejandro Garcia Rivera and Angel Bel Tran Zamora were charged with Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain after being intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard off Point Loma. Gerardo Bejarano-Velazquez was charged with Attempted Entry After Deportation.
– On June 10, Jose Pablo Lopez Lopez was arrested for Importation of a Controlled Substance when Customs officers found methamphetamine concealed in his vehicle at Tecate Port of Entry.
– Juan Moreno Morales was arrested on June 10 for Attempted Entry after Deportation at San Ysidro Port of Entry using a false medical emergency scheme.
Several defendants with criminal records were recently convicted or sentenced:
– Reymond Arias Valdez received an 18-month sentence for illegal entry into the U.S., having previous felony convictions.
– Carlos Fernando Gallegos-Camacho was sentenced to nine months for reentering illegally.
– Monica Valdivia Ramirez received a 56-month sentence for importing fentanyl pills.
– Francisco Luevano-Casillas was sentenced to 15 months for illegal reentry after a previous drug trafficking conviction.
These actions align with Operation Take Back America priorities focusing on prosecuting undocumented aliens involved in criminal activities such as drug and firearms offenses. Federal authorities prioritize investigations against smugglers who threaten community safety.
The immigration cases were supported by federal law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol among others.
It is important to note that indictments are merely allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
