PHOENIX (LAWFUEL) – Brian Guzman-Ochoa, AKA. Ivan Guzman-Ochoa, 32, of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico has been arrested and charged with transporting illegal aliens. Nine people died and 10 more were injured as a result of a vehicle rollover crash on August 7, 2008. According to the complaint, Guzman-Ochoa has been identified as the driver of the vehicle at the time of the collision. He will make his initial appearance in federal court today or tomorrow.
On Thursday morning, August 7, 2008, officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to a single vehicle collision on Highway 79 at mile post 117 near Florence, Ariz. The collision involved 19 people, all of whom are believed to be illegal aliens. The 10 that were injured, including Guzman-Ochoa, were transported to local hospitals. Of the remaining injured, five remain hospitalized, two in critical condition and three in stable condition.
A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The maximum penalty for transportation of illegal aliens is five years in prison, $250,000 fine or both.
The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution is being handled by Brian E. Kasprzyk, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: 08-307M
RELEASE NUMBER: 2008-201(Guzman-Ochoa)
