$1M seized, human smuggling ringleader sentenced to over 7 years following HSI Douglas, multiagency investigation

DOUGLAS, Ariz. - A Mexican national was sentenced during the second week of March to 90 months in federal prison followed by 36 months of supervised release for his leadership role in a criminal conspiracy to transport and harbor at 1,000 undocumented noncitizens over several years. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation with help from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's U.S. Border Patrol and other partner agencies.

"All the defendants in this multiyear-long investigation proved their carelessness and violent behavior with a distinct disregard for human life all while lining their pockets," said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Fransisco B. Burrola. "Not only did these smugglers endanger lives of the migrants; they knowingly and willingly broke our border and immigration laws, notwithstanding their illicit financial gain while acquiring a cache of weapons. HSI thanks all the partnered agencies that contributed to this case which resulted in lengthy sentences for those operating in this dismantled transnational criminal organization."

Martin Garcia-Velazquez, 42, of San Antonio in Michoacan, Mexico, was also ordered to pay a $5,000 mandatory special assessment in compliance with the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which is bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing services for survivors of human trafficking and strengthening law enforcement. Garcia-Velazquez pleaded guilty on Sept. 20, 2023, to conspiracy to transport and harbor the undocumented noncitizens for profit.

Garcia-Velazquez, also known as Jorge Espino-Garcia and by the nickname Tucan, admitted that he organized the transportation of undocumented noncitizens from the Mexican border to houses in and around Phoenix.

As a result of the multiyear investigation, HSI agents seized and forfeited from organization members over $1 million; five firearms, including an SKS 7.62 x 39mm semiautomatic rifle with accompanying magazines and ammunition; and five vehicles.

Garcia-Velazquez's co-conspirators were previously sentenced. Jesus Torres-Aguilera pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport and harbor undocumented noncitizens for profit and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. He was sentenced on Oct. 24, 2023, to time served, equivalent to approximately 23 months, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release. Torres-Aguilera was also ordered to pay the $5,000 mandatory special assessment in compliance with the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015. Elmer Rene Del Cid Santos pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport and harbor undocumented noncitizens for profit. He was also sentenced on Oct. 24, 2023, to 18 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release. A third individual, Angelico Roa-Joachin, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport and harbor undocumented noncitizens for profit and reentry after removal. He was sentenced to 78 months in prison.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multiagency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This prosecution also resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona is part of JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime.

Agencies that assisted in this investigation include the Drug Enforcement Administration; HSI offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, Huntsville, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia; the FBI; the Clayton County Police Department and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona in Tucson Michael R. Lizano prosecuted the case.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI's workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI's international presence represents DHS' largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

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