U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Border Patrol Announce Arrest in Smuggling Case Involving Unaccompanied Juveniles Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico Dateline: Albuquerque, New Mexico Date: 5 February 2025 Subjects: American Government , Crime

ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national faces federal charges after U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested him for allegedly attempting to smuggle two undocumented juveniles through New Mexico.

According to the complaint, on January 23, 2025, Border Patrol agents encountered Jesus Antonio Rodriguez-Bermudez, a Mexican national who had entered the United States illegally in December 2024, driving on New Mexico State Road 26, a highway that has been exploited by smugglers. After observing suspicious driving behavior, agents conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, agents discovered two unaccompanied juvenile males concealed under a blanket in the back of the vehicle. It was later determined that the two juveniles are brothers, ages 7 and 9.

When questioned by the agents, Rodriguez-Bermudez allegedly admitted to transporting the juveniles, who were not U.S. citizens, from El Paso, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico as part of a smuggling scheme.

Rodriguez-Bermudez will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted, Rodriguez-Bermudez faces up to 10 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Scott Good of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector made the announcement today.

The U.S. Border Patrol investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Ry Ellison is prosecuting the case.

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Updated February 5, 2025

Press Release Number: 25-51