In an aggressive sweep through the District of Arizona, 124 individuals found themselves facing charges for immigration-related criminal conduct just this past week, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office. This operation, which took place from July 12 to July 18, highlights the ongoing efforts to enforce existing immigration laws and deter unlawful entry into the United States. Among those charged, 62 individuals were accused of illegal re-entry, while 54 were charged with making an illegal entrance, and 7 cases involved 8 individuals allegedly involved in the smuggling of illegal aliens.
The law enforcement push, supported by a range of agencies including ICE ERO, HSI, Border Patrol, and others, resulted in several high-profile cases. In one notable incident, Arnold Perez allegedly attempted to elude border agents after being spotted with a group of people suspected of illegal entry—a pursuit that ended with a spiked vehicle and a run through a barbed wire fence. Perez is now facing charges for Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit, as detailed in the case filed under number 25-MJ-02295.
Another case involved Luis Sahid Guanin-Manzaba, who was subject to a secondary inspection at an Interstate 19 border checkpoint. It was here where agents discovered passengers in the trunk of his Chevrolet Malibu, leading to Guanin-Manzaba's charge of Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit (case number 25-MJ-02338). Meanwhile, Jasiel Antonio Moreno-Cuevas found himself charged with Re-entry of a Removed Alien. Moreno-Cuevas' criminal history includes a prior conviction for aiding and abetting Impersonation of a U.S. Citizen.
These actions are part of the larger Operation Take Back America—a sweeping initiative by the Department of Justice to confront the issue of illegal immigration head-on. This operation aims to dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, while also reinforcing community safety from violent crime, with resources from the OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) guiding the charge. Though these criminal complaints signal serious accusations, it is imperative to remember that under United States law, all defendants hold the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
