Migrant Smuggler Admits to Sexually Assaulting Juvenile During Travel to the United States

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 2, 2023

SAN DIEGO – Cecilio Yonatan Jimenez-Bautista of Mexico pleaded guilty in federal court today to alien smuggling charges and admitted that, in carrying out those crimes, he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old female multiple times while traveling from Mexico to the United States. The minor was not accompanied by relatives or a guardian.

According to his plea agreement, on multiple occasions from March 15, 2022, to June 29, 2022, Jimenez-Bautista led at least 25 undocumented aliens from Mexico into the United States. The smuggling fees ranged from at least $5,000 to $9,500 per migrant.

In particular, from June 14, 2022, to June 16, 2022, Jimenez-Bautista and another individual led a group of 10 undocumented migrants from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico to an area near Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista, California. The group included the minor. Jimenez-Bautista admitted that on June 14 and 15, 2022, he isolated the juvenile from the group and touched her breasts and genitalia without permission. On June 16, 2022, he sexually assaulted her, causing serious bodily injury.

“The defendant had no regard for this child’s humanity,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The brutal victimization of a 17-year-old minor is yet another example of the cruelty of smugglers who care only about profit.”

“This guilty plea is a reminder of what the combined effort of law enforcement can accomplish,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge of HSI San Diego. “HSI special agents remain vigilant to investigate violent human smugglers capable of such revolting actions in the course of circumventing our country’s immigration laws.”

“We continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to deliver consequences to those nefarious characters who wish to inflict harm in our communities,” said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel. “We have zero tolerance for these types of actions, and we will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.”

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 29, 2024. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine McGrath and Edward Chang of the Southern District of California, and Trial Attorney Danielle L. Hickman of the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice.

DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 22cr1550-LL                                          

Cecilio Yonatan Jimenez-Bautista                 Age: 27                       Mexico

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Bringing an Alien to the United States for Financial Gain and Aiding and Abetting – Title 8, U.S.C., Section 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii), and Title 18, U.S.C., Section 2

Maximum penalty: Fifteen years (Five years mandatory minimum) and $250,000 fine

AGENCY

Homeland Security Investigations

U.S. Border Patrol