Three-Time Alien Smuggler Sentenced to 60 Months

TUCSON, Ariz. – Clifford Valisto, 63, of Tucson, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Valisto pleaded guilty to Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit on October 2, 2023. Valisto also was sentenced to 12 months in prison to run concurrently for violating conditions of his federal supervised release from a prior alien smuggling conviction.

On July 19, 2023, Valisto picked up six undocumented non-citizens, including a 15-year-old unaccompanied minor, in a Ford F-150. Witnesses reported that Valisto was having difficulty controlling his vehicle, and appeared to be falling asleep as he approached a Border Patrol checkpoint. United States Border Patrol agents found all passengers to be present in the United States illegally.

Valisto previously had been convicted of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit, CR-18-01843-TUC-DCB, and Conspiracy to Transport an Illegal Alien, CR-11-01345-TUC-DCB.

Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           23-CR-01213-TUC-JCH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-204_Valisto

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