Mexican sentenced to 10 years in prison for death of migrant in Doña Ana County

DOÑA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KVIA) — A Mexican national was sentenced last year to 10 years in prison on charges related to a deadly human trafficking plot.

Rafael Radillo-Bernal, 40, pleaded guilty earlier this year for his role as a foot guide in the plot, where officials said he threatened witnesses to cover up his involvement after the death of a migrant following to heat exposure in the New Mexico desert.

According to court documents, Texas Department of Public Safety officers stopped a vehicle driven by Jorge Luis Estrada-Velasquez with four undocumented immigrants on July 18, 2023. Authorities said the migrants told officers that other members of their group were still in the desert. a few kilometers away and one of them was very ill.

Documents say Border Patrol agents and emergency medical personnel found Rafael Radillo-Bernal, 40, and three others in the desert near Strauss Road in Doña Ana County.

The officers then began to help one of the migrants, who appeared to be ill. The individual died from the heat.

Border Patrol arrested the seven surviving immigrants, including Estrada-Velasquez and Radillo-Bernal. Estrada-Velasquez was charged with “conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.”

The seven immigrants were named as material witnesses.

Officials initially said none of the witnesses admitted to being the guide on foot, and one claimed the guide had returned to Mexico. After their initial appearances, the witnesses were released to a halfway house in Las Cruces.

On September 8, 2023, officials said two witnesses claimed Radillo-Bernal was the walking guide and threatened to keep silent about his role in the plot.

Radillo-Bernal pleaded guilty to the charges on January 23.

Estrada-Velasquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy on October 19, 2023 and was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison.

After serving their prison sentences, the two men will be subject to deportation proceedings.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant United States Attorney Alyson R. Hehr prosecuted the case.