A Phoenix woman, Destiney Rae Montoya, was sentenced last week to a mere 12 months and one day in prison, after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit.
In her plea, Montoya admitted that “between 2021 through May 2022, Montoya, utilized social media and smart phone applications to solicit and advertise for drivers to shuttle multiple loads of undocumented noncitizens (UNCs) further into the United States. Montoya would provide her recruited drivers with directions, load pickup and drop off locations, and arrange for their payment. Numerous such loads, involving a total of between 25-99 illegal aliens, were identified and tracked by federal agents. Montoya knew that these individuals she was assisting were illegal aliens and she intended to assist them with remaining in the United States unlawfully. Montoya acknowledges that she was a manager or supervisor ana that the alien smuggling operation she coordinated with accomplice and codefendant, Keidy Rivera-Villa, among others, involved five or more participants or was otherwise extensive. Montoya was also going to be paid for her help in recruiting and organizing the transportation of these UNCs.”
Montoya’s prison sentence is to be followed by three years of supervised release. The offense includes a sentencing enhancement for being a coordinator.