Mexican Citizen Arrested for Smuggling

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Rey David Jimenez-Lopez, age 20, and a citizen of Mexico, was arrested on October 3 and charged by criminal complaint with alien smuggling in connection with a failed smuggling event.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Robert N. Garcia, Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

The criminal complaint alleges that Jimenez-Lopez was arrested while transporting six illegal aliens, five of whom had illegally crossed into the United States through the woods near Churubusco, New York.  Border Patrol Agents from the Burke Station stopped the vehicle that was being operated by Jimenez-Lopez and detained the occupants.

The charges in the complaint are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

Jimenez-Lopez appeared before United Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro on October 6 and was detained. 

If convicted, Jimenez-Lopez faces up to 5 years in prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The six occupants of the vehicle were found to be citizens of Guatemala and Mexico, and illegally present in the United States.  Five occupants were expelled to Canada and one was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and is subject to deportation. 

This case is being investigated by United States Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt.