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United States of America v. Nathan Jr. Espinoza
Date: 08-11-2025
Case Number: 24-CR-05407
Judge: Angela M. Martinez
Court: The United States District Court for the District of Arizona (Pima County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Tucson
Defendant's Attorney: Click Here For The Best Tucson, Arizona Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
Human Smuggling Coordinator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy after Illegal Alien Dies
Nathan Jr. Espinoza, 23, of Avondale, Arizona pleaded guilty on August 6, to one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2025, before United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez.
In his plea, Espinoza admitted that for a period of time leading up to March 2024, he recruited human smuggling drivers and coordinated the transportation of illegal aliens from areas near the Mexico border to places further in the interior of the United States. Espinoza's involvement in the conspiracy was for personal financial gain and led to at least 25 illegal aliens receiving transportation.
Espinoza also admitted that on March 6, 2024, he coordinated an event in which a driver and a front seat passenger picked up two illegal aliens near Lukeville, Arizona. At some point while they were being transported, the aliens were told to get out of the vehicle. The two aliens then jumped, fell, or were pushed from the vehicle while it was still moving. As a result, one of the aliens hit his head on the ground, suffered serious injury, and died at the hospital two days later.
A conviction for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit carries a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000,000.
The investigation of this case is the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys' Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA's work has resulted in more than 405 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 350 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
Tucson, Arizona criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit.
Human Smuggling Coordinator Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy after Illegal Alien Dies
Nathan Jr. Espinoza, 23, of Avondale, Arizona pleaded guilty on August 6, to one count of Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2025, before United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez.
In his plea, Espinoza admitted that for a period of time leading up to March 2024, he recruited human smuggling drivers and coordinated the transportation of illegal aliens from areas near the Mexico border to places further in the interior of the United States. Espinoza's involvement in the conspiracy was for personal financial gain and led to at least 25 illegal aliens receiving transportation.
Espinoza also admitted that on March 6, 2024, he coordinated an event in which a driver and a front seat passenger picked up two illegal aliens near Lukeville, Arizona. At some point while they were being transported, the aliens were told to get out of the vehicle. The two aliens then jumped, fell, or were pushed from the vehicle while it was still moving. As a result, one of the aliens hit his head on the ground, suffered serious injury, and died at the hospital two days later.
A conviction for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit carries a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000,000.
The investigation of this case is the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys' Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs (OIA), among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA's work has resulted in more than 405 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 350 U.S. convictions; more than 305 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution.
Outcome:
Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2025
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Nathan Jr. Espinoza?
The outcome was: Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2025
Which court heard United States of America v. Nathan Jr. Espinoza?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the District of Arizona (Pima County), AZ. The presiding judge was Angela M. Martinez.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Nathan Jr. Espinoza?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Tucson. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Tucson, Arizona Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Nathan Jr. Espinoza decided?
This case was decided on August 11, 2025.