Mexican citizen sentenced to 15 months in prison, following ICE, law enforcement partner investigation

SEATTLE – A criminal alien and transporter for a northern border human smuggling conspiracy was sentenced Feb. 10, in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 15 months in prison, announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy and U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.

Jesus Ortiz-Plata, 46, of Independence, Oregon was arrested May 23, 2024, in Everett, Washington, with aliens who had been smuggled into the United States from Canada.

“This defendant played a key role in a dangerous and exploitative human smuggling operation that risked the lives of vulnerable individuals for financial gain. By using freight cars to smuggle people across the northern border, he demonstrated a callous disregard for human safety,” said ICE HSI Seattle acting SAC Murphy. “ICE HSI remains committed to dismantling these dangerous smuggling networks and holding individuals like Ortiz-Plata accountable for their role in facilitating these illegal activities.”

“This defendant was a cog in a conspiracy that transported people into the U.S. from across the northern border in an extremely dangerous smuggling scheme loading people into freight cars on trains traveling from Canada into the U.S.,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “These transnational smuggling groups charge thousands of dollars and risk the lives of those trying to reach the U.S. We will continue to investigate these smuggling groups to hold members accountable.”

Since late 2022, as Border Patrol and investigators encountered non-citizens who had illegally attempted to cross the border. As part of the investigation, agents frequently encountered a phone number that was later linked to Ortiz-Plata. After substantial investigation, Ortiz-Plata was identified, and law enforcement obtained court permission to track his location. After months of surveillance and monitoring, on May 23, 2024, Ortiz-Plata traveled from his home in Oregon and was surveilled by agents from Seattle to an apartment in Everett. Ortiz-Plata left the apartment with three men – all aliens who entered his vehicle. All four were taken into custody. Two had crossed the border in a freight train car and one claimed he had walked across the border and been picked up on the U.S. side.

On Nov. 20, 2024, Ortiz-Plata pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport certain aliens for profit.

In asking for the 15-month prison sentence, prosecutors noted that the defendant did not run the smuggling ring, but still played an important role in its success. “Ortiz-Plata admits that he knew the noncitizens he picked up were using freight trains to get into the United States; but nevertheless, he proceeded to participate. Even if he, himself, was not the one directing the noncitizens to jump on, Ortiz-Plata continued to facilitate, and thereby promote, this extremely dangerous smuggling route, multiple times, over the course of at least a year.”

Ortiz-Plata will likely be removed from the United States following his prison term.

The case was investigated by ICE HSI Border Security Enforcement Team, Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Collins.

Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE HSI’s mission to increase public safety in your community on X at @HSISeattle.