A young man of Hispanic origin faces a possible life sentence after being accused of illegally introducing three immigrants into the United States and causing the death of one of them in an accident while fleeing from the police.
After his arrest, he confessed that he was recruited through Snapchat by a smuggling organization that promised to pay him $1,000.
Matthew Dylan Ramírez, 20, of Tempe, Arizona, collaborated with Jesús Madrid-Varela, 19, of Mexico, in smuggling three undocumented immigrants into the United States, the Office of Homeland Security Investigations said in a statement. (HSI, in English).
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Madrid-Varela introduced them to the country in May 2021 through the desert of southern Arizona on foot, to a place near the Quijotoa mountain.
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Ramírez picked up the four in his car, a BMW, and while driving, he passed a Tohono O'odham police officer.
He tried to stop him for speeding but was unsuccessful: Ramírez was driving over 100 miles per hour.
Suddenly, Ramírez lost control,
the vehicle rolled several times and all four were ejected.
One of the passengers, a 36-year-old Mexican woman, María González Núñez, died at the scene.
The others, including the husband of the deceased, suffered non-fatal injuries.
The four injured, including the deceased, were deported, according to the Prosecutor's Office.
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After his arrest, Ramírez admitted that he
was recruited through Snapchat by a smuggling organization
that was going to pay him $1,000 to bring immigrants to Phoenix.
Last week they pleaded guilty in Tucson federal court to conspiracy and transportation of illegal immigrants for profit resulting in death.
Ramírez and Madrid-Varela will be sentenced on November 1 before District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps.
The former, who pleaded guilty, faces life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The second also pleaded guilty and faces 36 to 57 months in prison.
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