Phoenix Man Sentenced to Prison for Deadly Smuggling Operation

By Ciara Perez, News Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)

Published March 16, 2025

TUCSON, AZ – A 19-year-old Glendale man, Steven Beltran-Lugo, will spend more than three years behind barsfor his role in a tragic human smuggling case that ended in death. He was sentenced to 38 months in prison on March 11, 2025, by United States District Judge Angela M. Martinez, after pleading guilty in October 2024.

The Tragic Incident

It all happened on March 6, 2024, when Beltran-Lugo and his co-defendant, Cesar Velazquez-Munoz, picked up two undocumented immigrants near the U.S.-Mexico border. Their goal was to transport them deeper into the country, under the direction of a Phoenix-based smuggling coordinator. Beltran-Lugo, riding in the passenger seat, stayed on the phone with the coordinator as the trip unfolded.

However, things took a deadly turn when law enforcement began following the vehicle. The victims were ordered to jump out of the moving car, which was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour. One of them suffered catastrophic injuries, including a brain hemorrhage and internal bleeding, and tragically died two days later at the hospital.

Velazquez-Munoz, who was driving the vehicle, is set to be sentenced on March 31, 2025.

Cracking Down on Human Smuggling

This case is part of a larger federal crackdown on transnational smuggling networks through Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). The task force, made up of Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, DEA, and other federal agencies, is focused on dismantling dangerous human trafficking operations.

Since its launch, JTFA has led to more than 355 arrests, 300 convictions, and 250 significant jail sentences for those involved in human smuggling.

What’s Next?

Authorities are continuing their efforts to bring down criminal smuggling organizations that exploit vulnerable people for profit. Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation in this case, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

For more details on this case and other breaking news, visit www.iSkyNews.com.

CASE NUMBER: CR-24-01674-TUC-AMM

RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-035_Beltran-Lugo

SEO Title: Phoenix Man Sentenced to Prison for Deadly Smuggling Operation

Keywords: Steven Beltran-Lugo, Phoenix smuggling case, human smuggling arrest, Tucson federal court, Arizona smuggling operation, fatal smuggling attempt, Joint Task Force Alpha, DHS investigation, border crime, undocumented immigrant tragedy, illegal transport conviction, Arizona criminal sentencing, law enforcement crackdown, U.S.-Mexico border crime

Phoenix Man Sentenced to Prison for Deadly Smuggling Operation