Press Release
Recruiter of Drug Traffickers and Alien Smugglers
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of California
For Further Information, Contact: Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara A. Stingley (619)546-8403 or Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph J.M. Orabona (619)546-7951
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 22, 2017
SAN DIEGO – Alexander David Faudoa, a recruiter of drug traffickers and alien smugglers from Imperial County, was sentenced in federal court today to 70 months in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine and smuggle aliens.
According to court records, Faudoa was responsible for the recruitment of drivers to transport undocumented aliens and narcotics from Mexico to locations in the United States, including California, Colorado, Kansas, and North Carolina. Faudoa communicated with his co-conspirators in Mexico and the United States in order to complete these crimes.
For example, Faudoa admitted that between June and July 2016, he coordinated the distribution of approximately 2.92 kilograms of cocaine between Kansas and California. Faudoa also admitted that in December 2016, he coordinated two separate events involving the transportation and harboring within the United States of approximately 19 undocumented aliens who had been successfully smuggled across the U.S./Mexico border in the Southern District of California. Each of these undocumented aliens was paying between $3,000 and $7,500 per person to be smuggled into the United States and transported to their final destination. Faudoa also admitted that he agreed to pay the drivers who were transporting the undocumented aliens a nominal fee – such as $400 to transport five undocumented aliens to their destination inside the United States.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of U.S. Border Patrol. On March 1, 2017, a complaint was filed against Faudoa and an arrest warrant was issued. Faudoa was arrested on March 17, 2017 attempting to enter the United States from Mexico through the Calexico, California, Port of Entry. Faudoa was taken into custody, where he has remained for the pendency of this case.
Faudoa was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez for one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and one count of conspiracy to commit alien smuggling.
Acting United States Attorney Alana W. Robinson said, “This defendant directed a vast network of drug and people smugglers across the country, and he did so audaciously and without regard for the well-being of his customers. This sentence means fewer people will be smuggled at great risk to their own safety, and fewer deadly narcotics on our streets.”
Acting United States Attorney Alana W. Robinson said, “This defendant directed a vast network of drug and people smugglers across the country, and he did so audaciously and without regard for the well-being of his customers. This substantial sentence will result in fewer people being smuggled at great risk to their own safety, and fewer deadly narcotics in the marketplace to harm our communities.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric S. Birnbaum said, “Alexander David Faudoa played a key role in an organization trafficking in illegal drugs and people. Today's sentencing demonstrates how the FBI, in working with our law enforcement partners in the Imperial Valley, target and dismantle those trafficking organizations that threaten the safety and security of our nation.”
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Anthony Porvaznik stated, “United States Border Patrol agents enthusiastically work with all law enforcement partners to secure our nation and provide safety for everyone in our communities. The combination of the Border Patrol agents, Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Attorney’s Office efforts in this case are an example of truly professional work to enforce our laws and enable positive outcomes.”
DEFENDANT Criminal Case No. 17CR0923-BEN
Alexander David Faudoa Age: 27 Citizenship: United States
CHARGES THAT FAUDOA WAS SENTENCED ON:
Counts 1 – Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine (21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 846)
Maximum Penalties: mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison; maximum sentence of 40 years in prison; maximum fine of $250,000; maximum term of supervised release of 3 years
Count 2 – Conspiracy to Commit Alien Smuggling (18 U.S.C. § 371)
Maximum Penalties: maximum sentence of 5 years in prison; maximum fine of $250,000; maximum term of supervised release of 3 years
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Border Patrol
Updated September 22, 2017
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component