Last week, a federal grand jury in Tucson indicted Miguel Salomon-Lugo, 40, of Chihuahua, Mexico. The indictment includes charges of smuggling illegal aliens for profit resulting in death and conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens for profit.
The indictment states that on June 19, Border Patrol Agents encountered two illegal aliens who reported that two other individuals in their group needed assistance near Bonita Tank, Arizona. Although the Border Patrol air assets located the distressed individuals, the helicopter could not land due to terrain issues. Ground agents moved quickly to assist despite excessive heat but found one man had died after falling down a steep ravine.
The surviving members claimed they were led by foot-guides from Mexico into the United States, identifying Salomon-Lugo as one of these guides. Court documents reveal that the deceased felt faint due to heat and fell after being instructed to continue walking. His uncle stayed with him while others moved on under guide instructions.
A conviction for smuggling resulting in death carries a maximum penalty of death.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative utilizing Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration and criminal organizations. The investigation was conducted by the United States Border Patrol and is prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona.
“An indictment is a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt,” it is stated in court documents. “An individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
