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Arizona man admits to helping to smuggle over 100 people

Benjamin Gallegos, 24, has admitted to taking part in the coordination of a human smuggling organization in southern Arizona.

PHOENIX — An Arizona man has pleaded guilty to participating in an operation that smuggled over 100 undocumented individuals from Mexico into the U.S.

Benjamin Gallegos of Nogales admitted in federal court on Thursday he conspired with others to transport undocumented migrants for profit. 

The defendant helped coordinate the transport and sheltering of over 100 people, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. 

A conviction of Gallego's offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced in April.

RELATED: Border Patrol agents stop hearse smuggling people into Arizona, officials say

RELATED: Man pleads guilty to illegally smuggling dozens of people from Mexico to Arizona

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The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media. 

Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous. 

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