Man sentenced for smuggling individuals for money

TUCSON, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A 30-year-old man was sentenced on Tuesday to 30 months in prison along with 36 months of supervised release for transporting undocumented citizens for profit.

Michael Andrew Nelson from Chandler, Ariz. was convicted of conspiracy to transport undocumented citizens and transport them for profit.

Border Patrol agents saw a weighted-down Jeep Patriot driving in and out of a national park area near Naco, Ariz. on Nov. 14, 2021.

The U.S. Attorney's Office District of Arizona says during a subsequent stop, about five individuals were removed from the backseat and cargo areas of the SUV.

Nelson was the front seat passenger while Michelle Wilson was the driver who plead guilty in Dec. 2021 and will be sentenced on April 10.

The press release also mentioned that the five undocumented citizens paid money to smugglers in Mexico in exchange to be taken to the U.S.