EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Two Mexican nationals have been sentenced in El Paso to federal prison for their roles in an illegal alien smuggling operation that resulted in a death.
Benjamin Guatzozon-Gonzalez, 24, and Alfredo Silva De La Cruz, 42, were sentenced on Thursday.
Court documents revealed that on Jan. 16, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents found Guatzozon-Gonzalez and De La Cruz north of the Rio Grande River after they scaled the border fence with at least one other individual. Guatzozon-Gonzalez informed agents that they left a third person behind after the individual collapsed from an alleged heart attack.
Despite rescue efforts, the person was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Investigations showed Guatzozon-Gonzalez was affiliated with the La Empresa cartel and had served as a foot guide in the smuggling operation, reportedly smuggling around 20 illegal aliens on 16 occasions over a month.
De La Cruz admitted to smuggling approximately 50 illegal aliens on 27 occasions over one and a half years.
On Jan. 22, U.S. District Judge David Briones sentenced Guatzozon-Gonzalez to 36 months in federal prison and De La Cruz to 45 months.
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