Man sentenced to over 14 years for operating Arizona-based human smuggling ring
Defendant linked to at least 3 deaths
PHOENIX — A Guatemalan national was sentenced Monday to 14 ½ years in federal prison for running an Arizona-based human smuggling organization responsible for the deaths of at least three individuals, including two persons who died in a vehicle rollover on Highway 40 three years ago.
Otoniel Galindo Vasquez-Lopez, 29, of Louisiana, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow sentenced Vasquez-Lopez to three years of supervised release upon completion of his jail time.
Vasquez-Lopez is responsible for the deaths of two individuals in July 2012 caused by a vehicle rollover in Holbrook. The victims died at the scene from injuries sustained when they were ejected from a minivan carrying 15 people that crashed when a tire blew out. Additionally, in June 2012, Vasquez-Lopez’s name and telephone number were found in the pocket of a deceased migrant, who died in the desert near Sells after being abandoned by his smuggling guides when he could not keep up.
“As this sentence makes clear, those who exploit people in this brutal way will themselves face serious consequences,” said Matthew Allen, special agent in charge for HSI Arizona. “Human smugglers care about only one thing – money. They aren’t concerned about the human cost.”
Vasquez-Lopez was arrested by HSI special agents in Phoenix in October 2012. Investigators say Vasquez-Lopez’s organization was responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into the United States from Mexico, Guatemala, and other Central American countries.
In addition to Vasquez-Lopez, HSI’s probe targeting this criminal organization resulted in the arrest and conviction of more than 30 other individuals on human smuggling and money laundering charges.
Individuals who have been victimized by human smuggling organizations or have knowledge of human smuggling activity are encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or submit online.
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