SENTENCING

Leader of human smuggling ring brought more than 1,000 to Phoenix area: US Attorney

A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to 90 months in prison for his leadership role in a criminal conspiracy to transport and harbor at least 1,000 “undocumented noncitizens” over several years, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated this week in a release.

Martin Garcia-Velazquez, 42, of San Antonio, Michoacan, Mexico, will also be on three years of supervised release when he gets out of prison.

Garcia-Velazquez, also known as Jorge Espino-Garcia and by the nickname “Tucan,” admitted that “he organized the transportation of undocumented noncitizens from the Mexico border to houses in and around Phoenix,” according to the release.

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SENTENCING

Leader of human smuggling ring brought more than 1,000 to Phoenix area: US Attorney

Posted Saturday, March 16, 2024 7:12 am

INDEPENDENT NEWSMEDIA

Martin Garcia-Velazquez, 42, of San Antonio, Michoacan, Mexico, will also be on three years of supervised release when he gets out of prison.

As a result of their multi-year investigation, Homeland Security Investigations agents seized more than $1 million, five firearms that included a SKS 7.62 x 39mm semi-automatic rifle and ammunition and five vehicles.

Garcia-Velazquez’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced.

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