A human smuggling guide is in custody in connection with the murder of one of his customers.
According to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at approximately 8:17 p.m., the YCSO responded to a report of a deceased male involving possible foul play in the desert area of the Mohawk Mountain Range.
The initial investigation revealed a migrant called 911 for assistance after not being able to continue walking through the desert. The migrant was part of a group of migrants who had entered the United States illegally from Mexico.
The migrant was apprehended by United States Border Patrol and told agents that the guide of the border crossing group was believed to have caused serious injury to a member of the group. The migrant told agents that the guide and victim went to a water tank near their location, and when the guide returned alone, he told the group that the victim fell off a cliff and would not return due to the victim being injured and fatigued.
Border Patrol Agents searched the area and located a deceased male as described by the reporting party. The guide was not able to be located at the time and was believed to have fled back to Mexico.
After further interviews and investigation, on January 16th, 2023, the guide, identified as Efrain Leyva-Alvarez, 34, was arrested and booked into the Yuma County Detention Center for 2nd Degree Murder, after having been detained by Border Patrol for entering the United States illegally.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at 928-783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous. You can also visit www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.