The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona took strong action this week, charging over 230 people with immigration-related crimes.
From March 8 to last Friday, charges were filed against those who illegally re-entered the country, as well as others accused of smuggling or assaulting a federal officer, according to a press release from the Department of Justice.
Among those charged, Edwin Andres Valdez-Gutierrez’s case stands out. He is accused of assault on a federal officer after an ICE operation turned violent, with Valdez-Gutierrez allegedly ramming his vehicle into one occupied by ICE agents, causing “significant damage,” but no injuries.
Another case highlights the gravity of immigration issues, as Jorge Fontes-Garcia, who was guiding a group across the border, was indicted after one migrant died from heat exposure. The events shed light on the dangers that people face when attempting to cross borders.
According to the Department of Justice, Carlos Rene Montes and Miguel Angel Sesma were charged with possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute as part of an operation that highlighted the intersection of immigration and drug trafficking. A large number of fentanyl-laced pills were seized, hidden in what appeared to be roofing shingles.
It is critical to understand that both a criminal complaint and an indictment are allegations, and that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court of law.