Federal prosecutors say an El Paso woman helped smuggle children into the U.S., sometimes using THC-infused candy to sedate them during the crossings.
EL PASO, Texas — An El Paso woman has pleaded guilty in a child smuggling scheme that federal prosecutors say involved giving THC-laced candy to children as young as 5 years old to sedate them while crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Dianne Guadian, 33, admitted Tuesday to helping smuggle unaccompanied children from Juarez, Mexico, into the United States for profit.
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Prosecutors said Guadian and three co-conspirators allegedly gave some children THC-infused gummies before crossing the border, then used stolen or fraudulent U.S. documents to falsely claim the children were their own while passing through inspection.
During one smuggling attempt, a child became sick and was taken to a local hospital, where doctors diagnosed the child with THC poisoning, court records state.
Guadian pleaded guilty to four counts of aiding and abetting the bringing of unauthorized migrants into the United States for profit. She faces five to 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Federal officials said the case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. One of Guadian’s co-defendants was previously sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the smuggling operation.