TUCSON, Ariz. – Last week, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned a two-count indictment against Kevin Michal Bell, 41, and Dara Eve Belic, 38, both of Las Vegas, charging Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Any Person and Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Any Person.
The indictment alleges that on or about April 7, 2022, Bell and Belic conspired to transport and transported undocumented non-citizens (UNCs) and that during the commission of the offense, they placed their lives in jeopardy. The indictment further alleges that both Bell and Belic did so for financial gain.
According to the complaint filed last month, a Border Patrol camera operator observed an individual, suspected to be a UNC, crawling in the grass toward a Dodge Durango near the border with Mexico on April 7, 2022. Bell was driving the Durango and Belic was the front seat passenger. Law enforcement officers attempted to stop the Durango, but the vehicle failed to yield. Instead, the Durango fled from law enforcement at a high rate of speed. At one point during the pursuit, four UNCs exited the vehicle and were apprehended by Border Patrol. The Durango continued its flight, only stopping after spike strips were deployed.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol and the Arizona Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-00960-TUC-RM
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-069_Bell
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