YUMA, AZ – A foot guide for a group of Mexican Nationals who entered the U.S. illegally is facing charges for alien smuggling that resulted in a death, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Early Sunday morning, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents rescued three migrants in distress and found one deceased after receiving a 911 call.
At approximately 3 a.m., a woman called 911 and reported she was part of a group of four migrants who were lost in the desert and without food and water. Agents responded to an area four miles south of County 14th Street and Highway 195, based on grid coordinates that were provided, and found the female caller, an 18-year-old Mexican national. The woman stated that she left the three other members of her group behind.
Agents searched the area and discovered a second migrant, a 50-year-old Mexican national. He was dehydrated and needed water, but was in otherwise good health.
As they continued their search of the area, agents encountered a third member of the group deceased. The deceased male was later identified as a 45-year-old Mexican national.
The fourth and final member of the group, identified as foot guide, was located northwest of the others. The a 34-year-old Mexican national, was severely dehydrated and required advanced medical care. Agents administered intravenous fluids and transferred him to Rural Metro for transport to Yuma Regional Medical Center.