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Press Release

Tucson Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Alien Smuggling and Drug Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona

TUCSON, Ariz. – Jon Christian Schacht, 37, of Tucson, was sentenced on July 14, by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 72 months in prison. Schacht previously pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit. He was sentenced to concurrent sentences of 72 months and 24 months, respectively, on the two counts.

Schacht managed an alien smuggling organization in southern Arizona, personally transporting illegal aliens, and conspiring and coordinating with others for their transportation further into the United States.

During the course of the alien smuggling conspiracy, Schacht was also involved in a drug conspiracy and transported 42 kilograms of fentanyl to Phoenix from Tucson.

United States Border Patrol conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Cavanaugh, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:             CR-23-0899-JCH                                      
                                           CR-23-0900-JCH
RELEASE NUMBER:      2025-117_Schacht

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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 Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Contact

Public Affairs
Esther J. Winne
Telephone: (602) 514-7413
esther.winne@usdoj.gov

Updated July 15, 2025

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Immigration
Press Release Number: 2025-117