The Border Patrol allegedly caught a “co-pilot” who said, “You got me with illegal people,” according to reports.
An Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper stopped an SUV with an expired registration on Interstate 10, which prevented an alleged attempt at human smuggling.
During the seemingly ordinary traffic stop in Pinal County, things took an unexpected turn when the driver presented a Mexican voter registration card as identification. From that moment on, the front-seat passenger took charge of the conversation, responding to the trooper’s inquiries initially directed at the driver, as stated in court records.
The state trooper observed three men sitting in the middle seat of the Chevrolet Tahoe and called for help from the U.S. Border Patrol.
The Border Patrol has confirmed that Driver Paola Estefania Martinez Ortiz, along with passengers Jose Mata Moreno, Clyder Navarez Diaz, and an unidentified male, were Mexican citizens who were found to be in the country illegally after conducting records checks.
During an interview at the Casa Grande Station of the U.S. Border Patrol, Mata informed investigators that he had illegally crossed the border at Nogales, Arizona. His intention was to join his brother, who had been residing and working in Denver for the past four years. Mata revealed that he had paid $2,000 to Mexican smugglers, who provided him with cell phone maps to navigate through the treacherous Arizona desert. Additionally, he mentioned that he had met up with two other migrants at a prearranged pickup location.
A Chevrolet Tahoe pulled up to the group, and two women stepped out to instruct them to get into the vehicle. The women stopped at a convenience store, switched places, and continued driving until a police car pulled them over, according to court records. In a moment of panic, one of the women exclaimed in Spanish, “¡Ya valió madre!” (We’re screwed!).
During the investigation, Mata was presented with mugshots of the suspects. After careful consideration, he identified Samantha Paniagua, who is a U.S. citizen, as the person who played the role of the “co-pilot” in the Tahoe.
According to a criminal complaint filed on November 7 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, Paniagua was questioned by investigators about the reason for her arrest. She responded, “You guys got me with illegal people.” Afterward, the woman refused to provide any further information or answer additional questions.
According to investigators, Martinez provided a detailed explanation of her background. She stated that she hails from Zacatecas, Mexico, and has been residing and employed in the United States for approximately a year. Martinez also mentioned that she is currently in the process of obtaining a U.S. visa, based on a sexual harassment complaint she previously filed.
Foreign nationals who have experienced significant physical or mental abuse, such as sexual assault or stalking, are eligible to apply for a U-visa under U.S. law. This visa allows them to legally live in the United States for a specific time.
According to Martinez, she and Paniagua made a trip from Phoenix to Tucson in search of an apartment. On their way back, they encountered hitchhikers who had just finished working in a field. Martinez claims that she intended to request $100 from the “workers” to cover the cost of gas for their journey back to Phoenix. This information is mentioned in the complaint.
Federal authorities have charged two women with facilitating the transportation of illegal aliens. A detention hearing is currently pending in federal court in Tucson.