Omar Ozuna-Berneda was sentenced to 41 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport people living in the U.S. illegally from Las Cruces to Albuquerque, Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Chief Patrol Agent Walter N. Slosar of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector announced March 7.

Ozuna-Berneda was arrested following a high-speed pursuit in southern New Mexico July 2024. Ozuna-Berneda admitted to knowingly transporting people in exchange for payment during questioning in July, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). He was convicted of conspiracy to transport an illegal alien .

"Those who violate our immigration laws by engaging in human smuggling endanger both the public and law enforcement through their reckless actions," Kastrin said. "We are resolute in our mission to enforce our immigration laws, dismantle smuggling networks and prosecute those who put so many lives at risk for their own financial gain."

Border Patrol agents observed Ozuna-Berneda, 49, a Cuban national and lawful permanent resident, driving a white tractor-trailer on New Mexico State Road 26 near Deming on the night of July 15, 2024. The vehicle had been previously observed traveling with other tractor-trailers caught in failed smuggling attempts. When agents attempted to initiate a stop, Ozuna-Berneda led them on a high-speed pursuit, including swerving into oncoming traffic to avoid a controlled tire deflation device and driving on the shoulder of the highway, according to the news release.

After 22 miles, Ozuna-Berneda left the vehicle on New Mexico State Road 26 near the city limits of Hatch and fled on foot. The abandoned tractor-trailer was blocking both lanes of traffic, and Border Patrol agents discovered 31 people locked inside the trailer, including an unaccompanied 8-year-old child. Ozuna-Berneda was later apprehended by Border Patrol agents hiding in brush several miles from the abandoned tractor-trailer, the release read.

“If you aid in violating U.S. immigration laws by attempting to smuggle individuals into the United States, we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent possible,” Slosar said. “Strengthening border security means enforcing strict consequences for those who break the law. With the support of our partners, we will ensure you face prosecution and serve jail time.”

Ozuna-Berneda will be subject to three years of supervised release upon his release from prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Border Patrol investigated this case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Land Management. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Autrey Stahl is prosecuting the case.