Federal agents arrested two Guatemalan men on Friday, accused of running one of the largest human smuggling operations in the United States.
The two were picked up and dropped off near downtown Los Angeles and were accused of transferring 20,000 illegal immigrants to the United States from Guatemala since 2019.
Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul and Cristobal Mejia-Chaj appeared in federal court hours after their arrest, and the judge ordered each person to have no guarantee. If convicted, each of them can face the death penalty.
“These smuggling groups do not consider human life and their actions to kill people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally. “The prosecution and arrest here have removed one of the largest and most dangerous smuggling organizations in the country. The work has saved lives and members of the group will now face significant consequences.”
Guatemalan man who was previously deported was arrested in New York
Helmer Obispo Hernandez, described as a “lieutenant” in the smuggling operation, remains broad, allegedly threatening to cut federal agents’ heads last week. (U.S. Attorney’s Office – Los Angeles)
The case also charged two other men. Jose Paxtor-Oxlaj killed seven immigrants in Oklahoma prison for his role in a 2023 car accident, including five immigrants from the same family – Helmer Obispo-Hernandez, who was described as “Lieutenant” in the stealing operation.
“Every day, similar human smuggling organizations are leading the profits in these reckless and illegal efforts,” said John Pasciucco, an agent of the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI). “Los Angeles HSI and our partners are committed to continuing to identify and remove these organizations so that no further life is wasted, our borders are safe.”
John Pasciucco, acting agent in Los Angeles, said the Fed is working to identify and remove “reckless and illegal” human smuggling organizations. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Prosecutors said Renoj-Matul, named after Turco, was the leader of the operation. He is working with his Guatemala counterparts, which will charge immigrants between $15,000 and $18,000 for safe access to the United States.
Once here, immigrants are again charged with additional transport nationwide. Renoj-Matul’s indictment accused immigrants under his guidance of being moved to at least 20 states and Washington, D.C.
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Renoj-Matul and Mejia-Chaj are believed to have been arrested in a hiding home in the Los Angeles community.
“Turko”‘s action leader Eduardo Domingo Renoj-Matul is allegedly working with his counterparts in Guatemala, which will charge immigrants between $15,000 and $18,000 for safe access to the United States. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, file)
In an incident last year, prosecutors accused Renoj-Matul of his hostage-taking immigrant mother and threatened that she would “will go home in the box” if her smuggling costs were not paid.
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Obispo-Hernandez remains the whole person and faces additional charges threatening to cut off the head of the Homeland Security Investigator who served the search warrant at his home on Friday.
