ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) El Paso special agents worked with multiple law enforcement partners across three states to lead the investigation, resulting in 10 indictments on June 14. and resulted in seven arrests.
HSI Special Agents assigned to HSI Deming led US investigative efforts with support from HSI in Arizona and the Central District of California. HSI also received investigative assistance from US Border Patrol agents in Deming and Roseburg. Bryce and El Centro, CA. and Yuma and Tucson, Arizona. Operation Sentinel of the US Customs and Border Protection National Targeting Center and the Montgomery (California) County Sheriff’s Department also participated in the incident.
The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the U.S. Department of Justice also provided assistance.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment on May 24, and it was unsealed on June 14. This indictment is the work of the Alpha Joint Task Force (JTFA).
According to the indictment and other court records, two Guatemalan citizens, Ronaldo Galindo López-Escobar, aka Tio Roni, 45, of Guatemala City, Guatemala, and his sister Rosa Adriana, of Phoenix. Lopez-Escobar, aka Tía Rosa, 38, is allegedly indicted. The Lopez criminal family headed a transnational criminal organization that smuggled persons primarily in Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States.
The organization smuggled noncitizens into the United States using a series of coordinated transportation, caches, and directed electronic money transfers to avoid detection. Rosa Adriana Lopez Escobar was arrested in Phoenix on June 14 and she is being held in custody pending further proceedings.
Family members of Ronaldo Galindo Lopez-Escobar have also been arrested and are suspected of being involved in transferring funds via funnel bank accounts and wire transfers on behalf of the organization. Deci Maricella Lopez Ambrosio, 25, was arrested in Long Beach, California. She is also a Guatemalan citizen.
Rosa Adriana López Escobar’s family and her aides were also arrested in Arizona on June 14, suspected of coordinating the transportation and detention of illegal immigrants. Franklin Leonardo Tyrrell-Ramirez, aka Arizona, 37. and Junior Banegas Portillo, 20. Each is a Guatemalan citizen.
If convicted, they could each face up to 10 years in prison and some could be deported from the United States.
An associate of the Lopez family, Sunny Diaz Salguero, was also arrested in a related case in Los Angeles.
“We thank our law enforcement partners for their valuable contributions to the success of this tristate enforcement effort for their tremendous joint efforts and victories against unscrupulous smugglers,” said HSI El Paso Special Investigator Francisco B. Brora said. “Criminal gangs such as the Lopez Crime Family not only endanger the safety and lives of those they prey on for profit and greed, they also endanger the criminal gangs. HSI remains resolute in vigorously investigating and dismantling the transnational criminal networks that pose a threat to our country.”
Based on the rise in high-volume and dangerous smuggling emanating from Central America and impacting our borders, the JTFA announced in June 2021 that the Homeland Security Commission will be launched to strengthen department-wide efforts to combat these crimes. It was founded by Attorney General Merrick Garland in partnership with the Department of Security (DHS). community. The JTFA’s goal is to destroy and dismantle the human trafficking networks operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico that endanger, abuse and exploit migrants and pose national security risks. , or other types of networks involved in transnational organized crime. crime.
Since its inception, the JTFA has successfully enhanced coordination and cooperation between the Department of Justice, DHS, other interagency law enforcement officials, and foreign law enforcement partners, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. rice field. Coordinated major smuggling prosecutions and extradition efforts in federal prosecutors’ offices across the country, targeting organizations with the greatest impact on the United States. To date, work with the JTFA and its partners has resulted in criminal prosecution of the leader, organizer and key facilitator of human smuggling operations and the arrest of more than 100 of her nationally and internationally. Dozens of convictions. A serious prison sentence is imposed. and confiscation of large sums of property. The JTFA is made up of candidates from the US Southwest Border Attorney’s Office, including the New Mexico, Southern Texas District, West Texas District, Arizona District, and Southern California District, and is committed to supporting the program. is also provided. It is made up of many members of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Affairs Division, part of the JTFA, led by the Division of Human Rights and Special Prosecutions and supported by the Office of Prosecution Development, Assistance and Training. Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Division. Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. Executive Office. Department of Justice, Bureau of International Affairs. Organized Crime and Organized Crime Division. JTFA is made possible by significant law enforcement investments from HSI, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other partners.
The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Matthew Ramirez. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Nelson for the Central District of California and Stuart Zander for the District of Arizona provided significant assistance in locating fugitives and obtaining search warrants.
The charges contained in the indictment are mere allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
