ALPINE – Yesterday an Oklahoma woman was sentenced to 46 months in prison for her role in transporting undocumented noncitizens.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Francesca Jo Ryan, 24, and co-defendant, David Alvarado-Rios, 32, of Mexico, were both charged with one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and one count of transportation of illegal aliens in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324.
On January 26, 2022, a federal jury found Ryan guilty on both counts. During trial, Ryan elected to testify and attempted to convince the jury she had no knowledge or involvement in the crime.
On December 15, 2021, Ryan’s co-defendant David Alvarado-Rios pleaded guilty to one count of transportation of an illegal alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1324. On March 28, 2022, he was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
“Our office remains fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to combat human smuggling,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Anyone considering involvement in this dangerous criminal activity should know that serious consequences await.”
“Individuals involved in human smuggling jeopardize the lives of the people on whom they prey for nothing else than profit and greed,” said Frank B. Burrola, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso. “HSI special agents strive to identify, arrest and bring to justice those who seek to circumvent our country’s immigration laws, threatening national security.”
HSI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott V. Greenbaum prosecuted the case.
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