TUCSON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced today that Obiel Anthony Ochoa-Renteria, 21, of Tempe, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his involvement in an alien smuggling conspiracy.
U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez also ordered that Ochoa-Renteria serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
Ochoa-Renteria pleaded guilty on March 27, 2024, to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit. In addition to his prison sentence, Ochoa-Renteria must comply with strict supervision conditions upon release.
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the case originated in September 2022 when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) began investigating smuggling operations facilitated through Instagram.
Agents identified Ochoa-Renteria’s social media account as being involved in recruiting participants and coordinating smuggling activities between June and September 2022.
On May 14, 2023, during a routine traffic stop near Sierra Vista, Ochoa-Renteria was pulled over by an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper for speeding.