Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 85 border-related cases this week. The charges included assault on a federal officer, bringing in undocumented immigrants for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The Southern District of California is one of the busiest federal districts in the country due to its high volume of border-related crimes. The district covers San Diego and Imperial counties and shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which is recognized as the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego and Tijuana.
In addition to responding to border-related offenses, prosecutors in this district also handle proactive cases involving terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security.
Recent arrests this week include:
On August 8, Luanna Astiazaran was arrested and charged with bringing in aliens for financial gain. According to a complaint, Astiazaran attempted entry at Otay Mesa Port of Entry where officers found an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala hidden in her vehicle who required medical attention.
On August 9, Emmanuel Ramirez Santiago was arrested and charged with importation of a controlled substance. Authorities allege that Ramirez Santiago tried to cross at San Ysidro Port of Entry when a detection dog alerted officers to his vehicle. Officers discovered 162 packages containing 203 pounds of methamphetamine concealed inside.
On August 10, Juan Hernandez-Diaz was arrested and charged with being a deported alien found in the United States. According to authorities, Border Patrol agents intercepted Hernandez-Diaz walking through brush several miles north of the international boundary; he had previously been deported from Brownsville, Texas earlier this year.
According to the Department’s Operation Take Back America priorities: “Federal law enforcement has focused immigration prosecutions on undocumented aliens who are engaged in criminal activity in the U.S., including those who commit drug and firearms crimes, who have serious criminal records, or who have active warrants for their arrest. Federal authorities have also been prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm, and human smugglers and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.”
The cases were referred or supported by multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol (USBP), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF) as well as state and local partners.
It is noted that indictments and complaints are only allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
