Two weeks ago, a former Scottsdale Unified School District employee was pulled over on State Route 86 near Sells and taken into federal custody after officers say he admitted he was in the area to pick up four people and bring them into the United States. Investigators say the driver planned to stash two passengers in the back seat and two more in the trunk.
What investigators say
Federal court documents reviewed by Arizona's Family state that Tohono O’odham Police stopped the vehicle on Jan. 28. U.S. Border Patrol agents called to the scene reported finding water bottles and blankets in the trunk. Agents also allege the driver’s phone showed pinned locations and directions they say were consistent with human smuggling, and that recruiters told him a pickup was set near San Miguel and he would be paid about $12,000 to move the group.
According to the station, Scottsdale Unified said the employee was immediately placed on administrative leave and has since resigned. The district noted the worker began employment on Feb. 20, 2018, and said it is cooperating with law enforcement while the federal case moves forward.
Why State Route 86 draws patrols
Federal and tribal officers routinely patrol State Route 86 and the nearby road network because the corridor and adjoining desert paths are often used in cross-border smuggling operations, a pattern described in earlier local releases from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has likewise reported a steady stream of immigration-related prosecutions in southern Arizona as authorities focus on smuggling and transportation offenses.
Potential federal charges
Under federal law, it is a crime to bring in, transport or conceal people who are in the country unlawfully, and penalties can increase when the conduct is for financial gain or puts lives at risk. The statute at 8 U.S.C. § 1324 allows prison sentences of up to 10 years or more for profit-motivated offenses and authorizes seizure of vehicles used in smuggling, according to the U.S. Code.
Federal prosecutors will decide whether to file charges in this case. Upcoming court filings and hearings will spell out the exact counts, if any, and the timeline for proceedings. This story will be updated as official records and statements are released.
