Two brothers who acted as foot guides for a deadly human smuggling venture that claimed the lives of three sisters were sentenced April 2 to 5 1/2 years in federal prison.
The sisters, who each died of hypothermia in the Laguna Mountains following a surprise snow storm, were ill prepared for the journey as were their foot guides.
Paula Santos Arce, 29, Margarita Santos Arce, 32, and Juana Santos Arce, 35, all from Oaxaca, Mexico, died Feb. 10, 2020. Court records say they made financial arrangements to pay $8,500 per person to be smuggled into the U.S.
“Three women froze to death because defendants sought to benefit from their need to come here,” said U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo.
“It is tragic that someone wants to come here to work and dies, but it is more tragic that there are people who benefit from this, who treat them like cargo,” said Bencivengo.
The proceeds did not go to the foot guides, Cecilio Rios- Quinones, 38, and Ricardo Rios-Quinones, 24, who guided the sisters on the deadly journey which began in Campo near Boundary Peak.
The sisters had a plan to pick strawberries in fields and had done agricultural work in the Northwest before.
The sisters arrived in Tijuana and connected with a woman named “Yoli,” who recruited the two brothers as foot guides, records say. Cecilio and Ricardo Rios-Quinones lived in a small town in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, according to court documents.
Smugglers sometimes don’t even meet in person with their foot guides or drivers in alien smuggling ventures in case those people are arrested and could identify them. They often communicate only by cell phones.
The sisters or the guides did not bring proper clothing, shoes, food, equipment or make any arrangements for shelter. They were not told how difficult the multi-day journey through a remote mountainous region would be.
Bencivengo said it was one of the worst human smuggling scenarios she had seen in her 15 years on the bench.
Several Border Patrol agents who engaged in the rescue operation were present in court for the sentencing. Bencivengo said the agents put their own lives at risk. Court documents said the agents began experiencing hypothermia conditions themselves.
At some point, the brothers called 911 and requested help, but they did not know where they were. Agents with the Border Patrol, Search, Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) determined they were 12 miles north of the border and 20.5 miles east of the Tecate port of entry.
Agents from the Boulevard Border Patrol station found the five people, but two of the sisters were already dead on a ridge. The third suffered from severe hypothermia and she died before reaching a hospital.
“The smugglers with whom individuals entrust their lives care only about money and not safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman.
“Human smugglers prey on the desperation of people hoping for a better life in the United States,” said Cardell T. Morant, special agent with Homeland Security San Diego.
The brothers pleaded guilty to transportation of aliens resulting in death, conspiracy, and bringing in undocumented persons for financial gain.
Prosecutors asked for 70-month prison terms for both brothers, while defense attorneys asked for three years in prison. Bencivengo imposed 66 months and a $500 special assessment fee for each brother.
Two of the sisters died 300 yards below a makeshift shrine that someone has made. Photos released from the U.S. Attorney’s office show the shrine with a depiction of the Virgin of Guadalupe with rosaries.
It is believed people who visit the shrine do so before they descend the northside of a mountain and no longer have Mexico in their view—as if there is no turning back, according to court records.
Both brothers’ attorneys said neither one has ever participated in a human smuggling venture before.
“I didn’t have any experience doing this; this was my very first time coming to the United States,” wrote Ricardo Rios-Quinones in a letter to the judge that was translated in court records.
“We weren’t prepared for the storm and I would have never participated in this if I would have known someone would end up hurt or dead,” wrote Rios-Quinones.
“I feel terrible for what happened. You have no idea how bad I feel,” wrote Ricardo. “We did everything possible to help and the truth is that I didn’t want any of this to have happened and we called 911.”
“I am a field worker and have a wife and daughter that depend on me,” wrote Ricardo. “Your honor, I am a man of faith and I am very remorseful for what I did and I ask you for a second chance.”
Paula Arce was the only sister who was married and she is survived by her husband and an 18-month-old daughter.