Washington, Oct 21 (IANS) A US federal jury has convicted three members of a transnational migrant-smuggling organisation that generated more than $5 million and operated a violent network involving kidnapping, extortion and murder across the United States and Mexico, the Justice Department announced.
The convictions followed a federal trial in Del Rio, Texas, where prosecutors presented evidence of a criminal enterprise.
The defendants, Israel Ramirez-Perez, Ricardo Rojas Vazquez and David Christopher Ewell, were found guilty of offences involving the transportation of undocumented migrants, including crimes resulting in death and placing human lives in jeopardy.
According to the Justice Department, Ramirez-Perez and Rojas Vazquez were convicted of conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in death, transportation resulting in death, conspiracy to transport migrants under life-threatening conditions and transportation under such conditions.
Ewell was convicted of conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants resulting in death, transportation resulting in death and conspiracy to transport migrants under conditions that endangered lives.
The case exposed an organisation allegedly managed by Alejandro Santoyo-Guzman, whose operations extended across the US-Mexico border.
Federal prosecutors said evidence presented during the trial showed that several defendants continued managing the organisation even after being incarcerated in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Ewell helped facilitate smuggling activities alongside his partner and co-conspirator Marcelina Truxillo-Logan.
The two communicated with Jessica Castillo-Guzman, another co-defendant who managed the organisation’s financial transactions.
Evidence and witness testimony indicated that the network generated more than $5 million during the conspiracy.
Rojas Vazquez directed the organisation’s operations in Mexico and maintained an equal partnership with Santoyo-Guzman, prosecutors said.
Ramirez-Perez served as an enforcer and was responsible for acts of violence associated with the organisation, including a kidnapping, an attempted murder and a murder.
The trial included evidence concerning the killing of Edgar Ponce Campos.
Prosecutors said Rojas Vazquez ordered the killing and Ramirez-Perez shot the victim several times.
Following the shooting, Ramirez-Perez attempted to dispose of the body using acid.
When that failed, he placed the body inside a vehicle, poured petrol over it and set it on fire.
Investigators said he filmed the burning vehicle, fired shots at it and shared the recording with Santoyo-Guzman.
The evidence demonstrated how violence was used to enforce control within the smuggling organisation and intimidate those involved.
US Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas said criminal smuggling networks frequently exploited migrants even after they entered the United States.
“Alien Smuggling Organizations care nothing about the lives, hopes and dreams of those they smuggle,” Simmons said.
“They only care about their money,” he added.
Simmons said such organisations often demanded additional payments from migrants and their families through intimidation and extortion.
He also warned that criminal groups sometimes used residential properties in American neighbourhoods to conceal migrants and facilitate their operations, creating risks for surrounding communities.
–IANS
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