Source: Office of United States Attorneys
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national who was arrested while transporting five other illegal immigrants through Missouri has been charged in a federal criminal complaint for his role in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.
Lisandro Garcia Ramirez, 22, was charged in a seven-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, Feb. 22. Ramirez will have his initial court appearance today. The federal criminal complaint charges Ramirez with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, five counts of transporting illegal aliens, and one count of illegally entering the United States.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, troopers with the Missouri Highway Patrol stopped the Honda Pilot Ramirez was driving on the night of Friday, Feb. 22, on Interstate 70 in Mayview, Mo., just south of Marshall, Mo. Ramirez and five passengers told the trooper they were illegally in the United States.
Ramirez told federal investigators that he had been transporting people for approximately six months, twice a month, with three to five people each trip. During the six-month period, Ramirez transported people from Arizona to several locations, including New York, Tennessee, and Chicago. Ramirez stated he was paid approximately $600 per trip with additional payments of up to $3,000.
Each of the five passengers transported by Ramirez told investigators they paid to be smuggled illegally into the United States, where they were picked up by Ramirez.
The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Borgnino. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.