ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Elton Jeremiah Gastelum pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, resulting in the death of any person, three counts of transporting an illegal alien, resulting in the death of any person, and high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint. Elton Jeremiah Gastelum, 21, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, will remain in custody pending sentencing.
In his plea agreement, Elton Jeremiah Gastelum admitted that on September 18, 2021, he intentionally agreed with other persons to transport within the United States eight illegal aliens. After picking up the aliens, he encountered a Border Patrol checkpoint on New Mexico Highway 11. Rather than stop and enter the checkpoint, Gastelum sped off. While fleeing law enforcement, he lost control of the vehicle, and it flipped multiple times killing two of the aliens he was transporting.
By the terms of the plea agreement, Elton Jeremiah Gastelum faces 10-13 years in prison.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from United States Border Patrol and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher S. McNair and Randy M. Castellano are prosecuting the case.
In his plea agreement, Elton Jeremiah Gastelum admitted that on September 18, 2021, he intentionally agreed with other persons to transport within the United States eight illegal aliens. After picking up the aliens, he encountered a Border Patrol checkpoint on New Mexico Highway 11. Rather than stop and enter the checkpoint, Gastelum sped off. While fleeing law enforcement, he lost control of the vehicle, and it flipped multiple times killing two of the aliens he was transporting.
By the terms of the plea agreement, Elton Jeremiah Gastelum faces 10-13 years in prison.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from United States Border Patrol and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher S. McNair and Randy M. Castellano are prosecuting the case.
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