Members of Yuma-based human smuggling ring arrested
PHOENIX (KYMA) - A smuggling ring from Yuma County was arrested, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Arizona.
The United States Border Patrol were cracking down on an organization called La Mesa, who were known to smuggle people across the border.
La Mesa was a group of eighteen people that operated out of Yuma and Somerton, according to the Attorney's Office.
The Attorney's Office says La Mesa smuggled or attempted to smuggle hundreds of people from Mexico, while providing stash houses and money distributions.
More of La Mesa's crimes include kidnapping, robbery, and extorting smugglers who worked for the organization.
"The sentencing of the La Mesa smuggling organization members is a testament to the relentless pursuit of the rule of law and the cooperative efforts between the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Bringing these smugglers to justice serves as a clear warning: the U.S. Government will hold individuals accountable for their criminal actions,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle. “I am extremely proud of our agents and their dedication to our mission, which ensures the safety of our communities and our great Nation."
The defendants were charged via Indictment or Superseding Indictment in November 2023 and September 2024 with Conspiring to Harbor and/or Transport Illegal Aliens. Judge Krissa M. Lanham sentenced the defendants to the following sentences:
1. Victor Eduardo Araiza-Ponce, 24, of Yuma was sentenced to Time Served; plus 3 years of supervised release
2. Antonio Aparicio III, 24, of Somerton was sentenced to 68 months’ imprisonment
3. Alonzo Esparza, 27, of Yuma was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment
4. Carlos Moreno-Serrano, 24, of Yuma was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment
5. Xasiel Noriega-Gonzalez, 21, of Somerton was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment
6. Joshua Guillermo Leon-Fuentes, 21, of Somerton was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment
7. Angel Rodriguez, 23, of Yuma was sentenced to 54 months’ imprisonment
8. Crystobal Figueroa, 23, of Somerton was sentenced to 66 months’ imprisonment
9. Saul Ponce Jr., 23, of San Luis was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment
10. David Leon-Pallanes, 23, of Yuma was sentenced to 3 years of supervised release
11. Manuel Uriel Alvarado, 26, of Yuma was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment
12. Elian Lopez, 24, of Yuma was sentenced to 12 months’ probation
13. Raymundo Delgado-Diaz, 35, of Yuma was sentenced to 3 years probation
14. Isreal Zeveda, 23, of Salinas, California was sentenced to 12 months’ probation
15. Francisco Javier Esparza-Macias, 21, of Somerton was sentenced to 12 months of supervised release
16. Alex Chiquete, 25, of Yuma was sentenced to 24 months’ probation
17. Hector Eduardo-Valdez, 31, of Yuma was sentenced to 18 months’ probation
18. Jose Gabriel Marquez-Mendiola, 32, of Yuma was sentenced to 18 months’ probation
