A Florida court has sentenced Pedro César Ramos Cruz, a Cuban national, to a decade in federal prison for smuggling undocumented immigrants into the United States. Ramos Cruz, a 33-year-old illegal immigrant from Cuba who had been deported twice before, was convicted last week for conspiracy to bring illegal immigrants into the U.S., re-entering after deportation, and possessing a firearm as a foreigner, according to a statement from the Northern District of Florida's federal prosecutor's office.
Court documents revealed that Ramos Cruz was apprehended by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) with an immigrant trafficking ledger, 20 foreign passports, $13,709 in cash, narcotics, and stolen firearms. The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) determined that Ramos Cruz had been deported in 2019 and 2020, yet he unlawfully returned to the U.S.
Connection to Criminal Networks
Further investigations by HSI in Tallahassee confirmed that the detainee was actively collaborating with the Gulf Cartel and trafficking immigrants from Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Colombia into and within the United States. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer on Ramos Cruz, with deportation proceedings set to begin after he completes his federal prison sentence.
Impact of Law Enforcement Operations
Upon announcing Ramos Cruz's sentencing, John P. Heekin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, highlighted the case as a "prominent example of the significant success of the Department of Justice's 'Operation Recover America'" and a fulfillment of the Trump administration's pledge to "halt the flow of illegal immigration into the country."
Nicholas Ingegno, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, stated that the Cuban immigrant "repeatedly violated our nation's laws, possessed stolen firearms, narcotics, and trafficked individuals within and across the United States as if they were commodities, showing no regard for their safety or welfare."
Commitment to Community Safety
The official emphasized that HSI Tallahassee, alongside federal, state, and local partners, will utilize all available resources to curb such criminal behavior and ensure the safety of communities. The investigation was conducted by HSI and ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the state highway patrol.
FAQs on Immigration Enforcement and Human Trafficking
What charges were brought against Pedro César Ramos Cruz?
Ramos Cruz was charged with conspiracy to bring illegal immigrants into the U.S., re-entering after deportation, and possessing a firearm as a foreigner.
How was Pedro César Ramos Cruz caught?
He was apprehended by the Florida Highway Patrol with evidence such as an immigrant trafficking ledger, foreign passports, cash, narcotics, and stolen firearms.
What organizations were involved in the investigation?
The investigation involved HSI, ICE's ERO, the FDLE, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the state's highway patrol.
What is 'Operation Recover America'?
'Operation Recover America' is a Department of Justice initiative aimed at tackling illegal immigration and related offenses.