18 Indicted in Yuma Smuggling Ring for Harboring, Transporting Migrants

Eighteen members of the Yuma-based La Mesa smuggling ring have been indicted on charges of conspiracy.Photo byImage: Tysonomo Multimedia

PHOENIX – Eighteen members of a Yuma-based alien smuggling ring, known as La Mesa, have been indicted on charges of conspiracy to harbor and transport undocumented noncitizens, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

The three-count superseding indictment includes charges of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens for profit, and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.

The defendants, who range in age from 21 to 35, are:

• Victor Eduardo Araiza-Ponce, 24, of Yuma
• Antonio Aparicio III, 24, of Somerton
• Alonzo Esparza, 27, of Yuma
• Carlos Moreno-Serrano, 24, of Yuma
• Xasiel Noriega-Gonzalez, 21, of Somerton
• Joshua Guillermo Leon-Fuentes, 21, of Somerton
• Angel Rodriguez, 23, of Yuma
• Crystobal Figueroa, 23, of Somerton
• Saul Ponce Jr., 23, of San Luis
• David Leon-Pallanes, 23, of Yuma
• Manuel Uriel Alvarado, 26, of Yuma
• Elian Lopez, 24, of Yuma
• Raymundo Delgado-Diaz, 35, of Yuma
• Isreal Zeveda, 23, of Salinas, California
• Francisco Javier Esparza-Macias, 21, of Somerton
• Alex Chiquete, 25, of Yuma
• Hector Eduardo-Valdez, 31, of Yuma
• Jose Gabriel Marquez-Mendiola, 32, of Yuma

The investigation, led by U.S. Border Patrol-Intelligence, revealed that La Mesa operated with the Mexico-based transnational criminal organization Los Rusos.

La Mesa allegedly smuggled hundreds of undocumented noncitizens across the U.S.-Mexico border and into the United States.

Carlos Moreno-Serrano is identified as the group's leader, according to the DOJ.

The indictment states that La Mesa members coordinated smuggling operations, recruited drivers, managed stash houses, distributed payments, and used intimidation to control their operations.

To evade law enforcement, the organization adapted by transporting smaller groups of noncitizens to Southern and Central California, the DOJ says.

The investigation also uncovered that La Mesa used force, including kidnapping and assault, against members who were arrested. Video evidence shows members being threatened for cooperating with authorities.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Notably, an indictment is merely an accusation, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.