A self-proclaimed nature photographer woman is facing charges for conspiring to transport migrants into the United States. The incident occurred when her SUV was stopped, and it was discovered that four migrants were wearing camouflage.
In southern New Mexico, a recent incident took place involving U.S. Border Patrol agents who stopped a black GMC Terrain near the town of Animas along New Mexico State Highway 338. This highway is known by federal officials as a common corridor for smuggling activity. The agents took action and arrested the passengers, who were identified as migrants. Additionally, they detained two U.S. citizens, Chelsea Naida Ruiz and Jermiah Earl Goins, who have since been charged.
According to Border Patrol, Goins informed agents that they had halted to aid the four people. He stated that they had come across them while on their way to Animas for Ruiz to capture the scenery. Ruiz, who specializes in commercial wallpaper photography, trusted Goins’ judgment and agreed to offer the individuals a ride to Tucson, Arizona.
According to court documents, a migrant who was in the vehicle informed investigators that the group had paid smugglers to help them cross the border. They had trekked through the wilderness for five days and were instructed to remain hidden once they were inside the SUV. Additionally, agents found two loaded firearms and marijuana in the vehicle. Ruiz and Goins are set to appear in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Wednesday.
The arrests come at a time when there is an increased focus on tackling human smuggling in the area. Recent immigration enforcement statistics, released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Monday, reveal that there were 309 cases of human smuggling prosecuted in Arizona between October and December 2024. The Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations and various other agencies, have made it a priority to combat smuggling activities and target those individuals and groups involved in facilitating illegal border crossings.
Federal prosecutors in Arizona have taken action against 3,141 individuals for engaging in illegal entry or re-entry during this time. In addition, they have handled cases related to transnational criminal organizations and independent actors, which also involve U.S. citizens participating in smuggling activities.
Law enforcement has been actively targeting the recruitment of drivers, especially young adults, through social media platforms. Both juveniles and adults have faced legal consequences for their involvement in transporting migrants. A comprehensive report from The Texas Tribune in December shed light on the increasing trend of cartels utilizing social media to entice Americans into human smuggling. These criminal organizations exploit ambiguous job opportunities and the allure of quick money to attract unsuspecting victims.
The report highlighted the tactics employed by various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, to promote driving jobs that promise substantial earnings. These posts often entice potential recruits with guarantees of thousands of dollars in payments. The recruits then receive instructions through encrypted messaging channels, which direct them to border regions for picking up passengers. These passengers are then transported to cities like San Antonio or Houston.