Mexican nationals charged with illegally transporting aliens resulting in death

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico announced today that Jose Luis Aguilera-Guzman and Jesus David Nuñez-Monreal have been charged with illegally transporting a group of undocumented non-citizens, three of whom died as they crossed into the United States. Aguilera-Guzman, 25, and Nuñez-Monreal, both of Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court today where they face charges of conspiracy and bringing in and harboring aliens resulting in death. Aguilera-Guzman and Nuñez-Monreal will remain in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing scheduled for July 27.

According to a criminal complaint, on July 19, Aguilera-Guzman and Nuñez-Monreal allegedly led a group from Mexico into Luna County, New Mexico. The group had run out of water and were lost when some members of the group became unable to continue traveling northward. Responding to a distress call, Border Patrol Agents, Luna County Sheriff Deputies and a New Mexico National Guard helicopter searched for the group and found seven members of the party. Agents learned that three people had been left behind, and those members were later found dead.

A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Aguilera-Guzman and Nuñez-Monreal face up to life in prison or death.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Luna County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico National Guard. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Standridge is prosecuting the case.

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