A Douglas man arrested last summer of federal charges of transporting several illegal border crossers immigrants for profit while he was transferring the remains of a local resident to a funeral home is set to stand trial May 4.
Michael William Bernal was arrested July 12, 2020 after U.S. Border Patrol agents conducting surveillance in a Douglas neighborhood became suspicious of SUV seen several times driving around a known stash house. When agents stopped the vehicle they found Bernal, six Mexican nationals, and “dead body under a blanket,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
A federal grand jury formally indicted Bernal in October on one count of conspiracy to transport the men for profit and six counts of transportation of an illegal immigrant. Two 13-year-old Douglas residents were also arrested in connection to Bernal’s human smuggling activity.
Arizona Daily Independent has found no record of any state or federal charges filed in connection to Bernal’s handling of the dead body, which he was transporting on behalf of his employer in advance of a memorial service.
READ MORE ABOUT BERNAL’S ARREST: Man Hauling Corpse While Smuggling Illegals Has Been Released From Custody.
