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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. “Migrants-for-drugs investigation plea”
2. “Guilty plea in migrants-for-drugs case”
A man in El Paso, Texas pleaded guilty to migrant smuggling after being intercepted by Border Patrol near Mount Cristo Rey in New Mexico. Armando Fierro Jr. admitted to transporting migrants in an SUV to a stash house. Border agents observed individuals crossing from Mexico and entering the vehicle. Fierro claimed he was helping a friend, but evidence on his cellphone indicated otherwise. He faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Mount Cristo Rey, a 4,700-foot-tall mountain on the border, presents challenges for Border Patrol due to its terrain. Sunland Park officials report frequent migrant activity and injuries in the area.
1. Drug smuggling migrant case
2. Guilty plea in migrants-for-narcotics probe
Man Pleads Guilty to Migrant Smuggling Near Mount Cristo Rey
An individual who initially claimed to be giving a ride to a friend’s relatives in the early hours of the morning near the Mexican border has entered a guilty plea for migrant smuggling. Armando Fierro Jr. admitted in court that he was aware the individuals he was transporting were migrants and intended to take them to a stash house in an SUV before being intercepted by U.S. Border Patrol vehicles near Mount Cristo Rey in Sunland Park, New Mexico.
Border Patrol Surveillance Leads to Arrest
Border agents monitoring the mountain with specialized surveillance equipment noticed four individuals crossing over from Mexico under the cover of darkness. They then observed a green SUV waiting for the migrants to get in on the U.S. side of the border. As the SUV attempted to drive away, one agent activated flashing lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but it continued moving. Another agent intervened and conducted a felony stop, leading to Fierro’s apprehension.
Phone Evidence Implicates the Suspect
Following the interception, authorities questioned Fierro and his passengers, confirming that they were not related as initially claimed. Evidence from Fierro’s cellphone revealed a conversation with an individual referred to as “John Doe,” instructing Fierro to “pick up some boxes,” a code for transporting migrants. Fierro confessed that his friend had offered him drugs in exchange for picking up the migrants, indicating a history of similar transactions.
Legal Ramifications and Mountain Challenges
Armando Fierro Jr. has pleaded guilty to charges of transporting illegal aliens and aiding and abetting, potentially facing a reduced sentence for offences punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Mount Cristo Rey, standing at nearly 4,700 feet tall, has long been a focal point for Border Patrol activities due to its location straddling the U.S.-Mexico border. The mountain’s steep terrain and divided jurisdiction make it a difficult area to monitor and secure.
Community Impact and Ongoing Challenges
Sunland Park officials report frequent incidents of migrants passing through private property or being picked up by suspicious vehicles near the border. The Sunland Park Fire Department regularly responds to calls of migrants injured while attempting to cross the border wall or navigate Mount Cristo Rey. Despite these challenges, the mountain remains a popular pilgrimage site, attracting visitors who come to pay homage to the statue of Christ the Redeemer at its summit.
For more updates on border-related news, visit BorderReport.com.
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