A Phoenix man, Brandon Hall, and a Surprise woman, Martina Vega, have been charged with Conspiring to Transport Illegal Aliens While Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Another. Hall is also charged with Assaulting a Federal Officer.
According to the Department of Justice, on July 8, 2022, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents responded to a citizen’s report claiming seven undocumented noncitizens were headed north from the border near Naco, Arizona. When agents responded, they discovered a silver vehicle, driven by Hall, transporting the group.
Hall, age 33, initially appeared to stop for law enforcement, but almost hit a USBP agent as the agent approached the vehicle on foot. After Hall fled from USBP agents, he stopped the vehicle, and all of the undocumented noncitizens exited the vehicle. USBP agents later located Hall’s vehicle and apprehended Hall, his passenger Vega and four of the undocumented noncitizens.
A conviction for Conspiring to Transport Illegal Aliens while Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Another carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, or both.
A conviction for Assaulting a Federal Officer carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, or both.