A 29-year-old Mexican nationwide arrested final month in Yolo County has pleaded responsible in a federal courtroom to unlawfully transporting noncitizens with out standing in the US, a U.S. Division of Justice official mentioned.
Mateo Gomez-Gonzalez entered his plea Monday within the Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse in Sacramento, dwelling to the DOJ’s Jap District of California, U.S. Lawyer Phillip A. Talbert introduced in a press assertion.
Based on court docket paperwork, on Sept. 28 a involved resident of Sacramento referred to as legislation enforcement to report that his relative and a buddy had been being held over a cost dispute in a human smuggling operation with the smuggler, generally referred to as a “coyote,” mentioned Talbert.
The reporting social gathering indicated that the motive force of a car concerned within the transport of Mexican residents to the US was threatening to drop the relative and household buddy at an unknown stash home somewhat than to the awaiting members of the family if extra cost was not made, he added.
Appearing on the tip, famous Talbert, legislation enforcement officers met the car at a gasoline station in Dunnigan, found 4 passengers within the car who didn't have lawful standing in the US, and arrested Gomez-Gonzalez.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Audrey B. Hemesath and Denise Yasinow are prosecuting the case, which stems from an investigation by Homeland Safety Investigations, Talbert mentioned within the ready assertion.
Gomez-Gonzalez, who stays in custody within the Sacramento County Jail, is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23 by U.S. District Choose Kimberly J. Mueller. He faces a most penalty of 5 years in jail for every particular person smuggled. The precise sentence, nonetheless, might be decided by the decide and federal sentencing tips, which take into consideration a lot of variables, mentioned Talbert.