PHOENIX, Ariz. –Rafael Almanza-Guillen, 41, of Mexico, was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 63 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Almanza‑Guillen previously pleaded guilty to Unlawfully Bringing an Illegal Alien to the United States, Resulting in Death.
On August 1, 2021, Almanza-Guillen brought three undocumented noncitizens from Mexico into the United States in exchange for payment. He led the noncitizens on foot through the desert, in temperatures averaging 106 degrees Fahrenheit. After running out of food and water, the four individuals found themselves stranded in the desert. Ultimately, one of the noncitizens died from hyperthermia, which is abnormally high body temperature. Yuma Border Patrol Agents rescued Almanza-Guillen and the two other noncitizens.
Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol, and the Yuma Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa E. Jennis and Genevieve A. Ozark, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-21-00650-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-111_Almanza-Guillen
# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.