During a week of enforcement operations from July 5 to July 11, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona charged 147 individuals with immigration-related crimes. The charges include 71 cases of illegal re-entry into the United States and 57 cases of illegal entry. Additionally, there were 16 cases against 19 individuals for smuggling illegal aliens within Arizona.
Federal law enforcement partners involved in these efforts include Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
In United States v. Ismael Viera-Villa on July 7, Border Patrol agents attempted an immigration inspection on a Dodge Ram truck driven by Ismael Viera-Villa along State Route 83. After deploying a vehicle immobilization device to stop the vehicle, agents discovered seven individuals hiding inside who were illegally present in the U.S., along with Fausto Gil-Cruz identified as their foot guide. Both were charged with conspiracy to transport an illegal alien for profit.
On the same day in United States v. Carlos Meza-Alcantar, Border Patrol agents observed vehicles suspected of human smuggling operations at a residence leading to a semi-truck where they found 14 individuals hiding inside at a checkpoint inspection. Meza-Alcantar was charged with transportation of an illegal alien for profit.
In another case on July 8, Homeland Security Investigations arrested Blademir Angulo Audeves following a five-month investigation into his business practices involving unlawfully employing at least twelve aliens and harboring several at his residence. Angulo was charged with harboring an illegal alien, knowingly employing unauthorized aliens, improper entry by an alien, and possession of firearms as an illegal alien.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and related criminal activities by utilizing resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
“A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct,” noted authorities involved in these operations.
