Posted on 03/29/2024 1:51:37 AM PDT by ransomnote
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – March 21, 2024
SAN DIEGO –Kevin Noe Campos Villa of Tijuana pleaded guilty in federal court today to human smuggling charges, admitting he guided seven unauthorized immigrants through sewer pipes during heavy rains. Several had to be rescued from the Tijuana River by San Diego lifeguards.
Campos is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez.
Campos was arrested on January 22, 2024, after U.S. Border Patrol agents observed Campos directing the individuals from Mexico into the United States through the pipes about two miles west of the San Ysidro Port of Entry during heavy rains.
When confronted by Border Patrol agents, Campos and three of the immigrants he was guiding ran to avoid apprehension. While attempting to escape, they fell into the Tijuana River and had to be rescued by San Diego lifeguards.
According to court records, two of the unauthorized immigrants who were rescued stated that they feared for their lives when crossing the river because they did not know how to swim. One stated that he was swept away by the river’s current and was able to grab and hold onto a tree branch until his rescue.
Sewer tubes between the United States and Mexico have grates to prevent individuals from illegally entering the United States. During heavy rain, the grates are opened to let water flow through the sewer tubes without damaging the grates. Due to heavy rain that was occurring in the area at the time, the grates were open and Campos used the opportunity to smuggle the unauthorized immigrants into the United States.
Court documents established Campos agreed to guide the group in the January event, and in exchange he would have his own smuggling fee reduced to $6,000. Campos also admitted that he has been working for smugglers by building ladders to smuggle people across the U.S.-Mexico border fence.
“This case is yet another example of transnational smuggling organizations placing profits over safety,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Thankfully, due to law enforcement intervention and the assistance of local lifeguards, all lives were spared.”
“This is an important reminder that safety is of little concern to transnational criminal organizations,” said Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel. “U.S. Border Patrol agents will continue to target human smugglers and deliver consequences to those who violate the laws of our nation.”
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Adeline Schulberg.
DEFENDANT Case Number 24CR0290-LL
Kevin Noe Campos Villa Age: 20 Tijuana, Mexico
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 8, United States Code, §1324(a)(1)(A)(i) – Bringing in Illegal Aliens at a Place other than a Designated Port of Entry
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison; $250,000 fine
AGENCY
United States Border Patrol
San Diego Lifeguards
Updated March 26, 2024TopicHuman SmugglingComponentPress Release Number: CAS24-0321-Campos
That’s what he admits, because that is what they can prove. He likely did more than that.
Gasp! Seven people entered the country illegally! Seven! But don’t worry! We caught the guy who did it! [/s]
(Kevin Noe Campos Villa of Tijuana pleaded guilty in federal court today to human smuggling)
Just doing the jobs that Americans refuse to do - George W Bush
I see the problem. He's not Mayorkas who can declare what a Designated Port of Entry is.
In his defense, maybe he should have called them Refugees because no one's "illegal".
Drain the sewer/swamp.
Hard to tell which direction the sewage flows.
“Unauthorized immigrants”?
“Illegal aliens” is much shorter and more accurate.
Put them back in the sewer pipe, and then everybody flush at 3:00.
Why would you need to move sewage across the border?
To put it differently, why even have sewer pipes there?
I’m no civil engineer but I don’t understand it. We are delivering sewage to mexico, or Mexico is sending sewage to the US? What is the purpose for these even being there?
Wow, what a crappy plan!
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