Three Illegal Aliens from Mexico Plead Guilty for Their Roles in an International Conspiracy to Smuggle Aliens from Canada into the U.S.

Three illegal aliens from Mexico pleaded guilty today to being part of an international alien smuggling organization (ASO) that illegally brought aliens from Mexico and Central and South America across the northern border with Canada into the United States for profit.

According to court documents, Ignacio Diaz-Perez, 37, Samuel Diaz-Perez, 27, and Salvador Diaz-Diaz, 34, all of whom are illegal aliens from Mexico, were part of an ASO that brought hundreds of illegal aliens into the United States. Once the illegal aliens were inside the U.S., the ASO employed drivers to pick them up and drive them further into the country. The defendants personally participated in and coordinated smuggling events with other leaders of the ASO. During one smuggling event in May 2023, a van carrying illegal aliens led border patrol agents on a high-speed chase. Border Patrol had to stop their pursuit due to the risk to the public. Ultimately the local sheriff's department used a tire deflation device to stop the vehicle after it failed to yield.

"Human smuggling threatens our national security in multiple ways, including the risks to public safety that take place when alien smugglers further ignore our laws and lead agents on dangerous high-speed pursuits," said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. "These defendants undermined the integrity of our border, disobeyed our traffic and public safety laws, and put ordinary citizens at risk. In short, for their own greed, they jeopardized the safety of the public and the illegal aliens they were smuggling. They will now answer for these offenses."

"These defendants attempted to exploit our nation's laws by unlawfully smuggling aliens into the United States through the northern border," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. "Through the outstanding efforts of the United States Border Patrol and their partners at Homeland Security Investigations, these smugglers have been brought to justice. They will no longer profit from exploiting vulnerable individuals or undermining the security of the American people."

"I have seen firsthand the dangers and tragedies that result from human smuggling operations", said Deputy Executive Associate Director Matthew Millhollin of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). "Smugglers routinely put lives at risk, exposing vulnerable individuals to dangerous conditions, exploitation, and even death. This case sends a clear message that those who profit from smuggling human beings across our border will be held accountable. HSI remains committed to working with our partners to disrupt these criminal networks and protect the safety and dignity of every person."

"Alien smuggling organizations prey on the most vulnerable without regard for human safety," said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Richard J. Fortunato of Border Patrol Swanton Sector. "Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the dedicated men and women of U.S. Border Patrol's Swanton Sector will continue to investigate these human smuggling rings and hold them accountable for their actions. The message is clear, if you attempt to break immigration law, you will be arrested, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Ignacio Diaz-Perez and Samuel Diaz-Perez each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and six counts of aliens smuggling for financial gain. Salvador Diaz-Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and five counts of aliens smuggling for financial gain. They are scheduled to be sentenced on November 23. They face a minimum penalty of five years in prison and maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Co-defendant Edgar Sanchez-Solis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling and five counts of alien smuggling for private financial gain on May 7. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10.

HSI Rouses Point and U.S. Border Patrol (BP) Burke Station investigated the case, with substantial assistance from HSI's Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.

The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department's lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA's mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean, and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorneys from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA's work has resulted in more than 465 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 419 U.S. convictions; more than 363 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.

Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.