KC Reporter

A Mexican national, Lisandro Garcia Ramirez, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint for his involvement in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. The charges were filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ramirez, 22, was arrested while transporting five illegal immigrants through Missouri. He faces one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, five counts of transporting illegal aliens, and one count of illegally entering the United States. His initial court appearance is scheduled for today.

The arrest occurred on Friday night when Missouri Highway Patrol troopers stopped Ramirez's vehicle on Interstate 70 near Mayview, Missouri. Both Ramirez and his passengers admitted to being illegally present in the United States.

According to an affidavit supporting the complaint, Ramirez disclosed that he had been involved in transporting people illegally for about six months. He made trips twice a month with three to five individuals each time from Arizona to various destinations including New York, Tennessee, and Chicago. Ramirez reportedly received approximately $600 per trip along with additional payments up to $3,000.

The passengers confirmed they paid for smuggling services into the United States and were subsequently picked up by Ramirez.

It is important to note that these charges are accusations and not evidence of guilt. The responsibility lies with a federal trial jury to evaluate the evidence presented and determine guilt or innocence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Borgnino is prosecuting this case which was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.