Human Smuggling Investigation Results in Seizure of Over $1 Million and 90 Months in Prison for Ringleader

TUCSON, Ariz. – Martin Garcia-Velazquez, 42, of San Antonio, Michoacan, Mexico, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 90 months in federal prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release, for his leadership role in a criminal conspiracy to transport and harbor at least 1,000 undocumented noncitizens over several years. Judge Rash also ordered Garcia-Velazquez to pay a $5,000 mandatory special assessment in compliance with the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (JVTA), bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing services for survivors of human trafficking and strengthening law enforcement. Garcia-Velazquez pleaded guilty on September 20, 2023, to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit.

Garcia-Velazquez, also known as Jorge Espino-Garcia and by the nickname “Tucan,” admitted that he organized the transportation of undocumented noncitizens from the Mexico border to houses in and around Phoenix.

As a result of their multi-year investigation, HSI agents seized and forfeited from organization members over $1 million; five firearms, including an SKS 7.62 x 39mm semi-automatic rifle, with accompanying magazines and ammunition; and five vehicles.

Garcia-Velazquez’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced. Jesus Torres-Aguilera pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. Judge Rash sentenced him on October 24, 2023, to a prison term of time served, equivalent to approximately 23 months, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release. Judge Rash also ordered Torres-Aguilera to pay the $5,000 mandatory special assessment in compliance with the JVTA. Elmer Rene Del Cid Santos pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit. Judge Rash also sentenced him on October 24, 2023, to 18 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. A third individual, Angelico Roa-Joachin, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit and Reentry of a Removed Alien. United States District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps sentenced Roa-Joachin to 78 months in prison.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This prosecution also resulted from the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA).  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona is part of JTFA, which was established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021 to marshal the investigative and prosecutorial resources of the Department of Justice, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, to enhance U.S. enforcement efforts against the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. The Task Force focuses on disrupting and dismantling smuggling and trafficking networks that abuse, exploit, or endanger migrants, pose national security threats, and are involved in organized crime.

Homeland Security Investigations - Douglas conducted the investigation in this case with assistance from the Homeland Security Investigations offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, Huntsville, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia; Customs and Border Protection’s United States Border Patrol; the Drug Enforcement Administration in Sierra Vista; the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Clayton County Police Department, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Michael R. Lizano, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-21-02715-SHR-LCK
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-031_Garcia-Velazquez

# # #

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.