Two Uzbek nationals are accused of smuggling illegal migrants into the United States for financial gain.
The United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the arrest and indictment of 30-year-old B.R. and 31-year-old M.H. in connection with the illegal smuggling of migrants into the United States in exchange for monetary compensation.
Both arrived in the United States on the same day illegally.
The defendants facilitated the illegal entry of accomplice No. 1 into the country, after which they began receiving recommendations from him for other foreigners wishing to enter the United States illegally.
From December 2022 to May 2025, B.R. and M.H. worked with others to obtain visas and passports in order to organize a route for migrants through various countries to the U.S.-Mexico border. For their services, they received money transfers from the illegal migrants themselves or from their representatives.
If convicted, each defendant could face up to 10 years in prison on each count. The case is being investigated by the FBI, and the prosecution is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Bateman and Everett Witherell.
