A human smuggler from Sonora, Mexico, Jorge Fontes-Garcia, has been indicted for Bringing an Illegal Alien to the United States Unlawfully Resulting in Death, Conspiracy to Bring Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully, Bringing Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully, and Reentry of Removed Alien.
The indictment by a federal grand jury in Phoenix alleges that on August 23, 2023, the 25-year-old Fontes-Garcia acted as the foot guide, leading a group of eight aliens across the Mexico-United States border into southern Arizona. United States Border Patrol apprehended all but one of the illegal aliens in the open desert approximately 19 miles south of Tacna, Arizona. The remaining alien was found by Border Patrol agents shortly thereafter, already deceased due to excessive heat exposure.
A conviction for Bringing Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully Resulting in Death carries a maximum penalty of death or up to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A conviction for Conspiracy to Bring Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully and Bringing Illegal Aliens to the United States Unlawfully each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and fine of up to $250,000. A conviction for Reentry of Removed Alien carries a maximum of 10 years in prison.