SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Prosecutors with the Southern District of California have filed more than 100 border-related cases this week, including charges of transportation of illegal migrants, reentering the U.S. after deportation, smuggling of controlled substances and assault on a federal officer.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California oversees San Diego and Imperial counties, which span the 140-mile border with Mexico.
It also includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the busiest land border crossing in the western hemisphere connecting San Diego and Tijuana.
According to the Southern District of California, it also prosecutes a significant number of cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security.
Through a news release Friday, it provided a sample of border-related arrests this week:
- On March 8, 2025, Gabriel Yeraldi Gaona, a United States citizen, was arrested and charged with alien smuggling after he was caught attempting to smuggle two citizens of Mexico into the United States. Following his arrest, Gaona admitted that he crossed into the United States from Mexico by climbing over a ladder that was placed on the first border fence. The two Mexican citizens he was arrested with admitted that they are citizens of Mexico without lawful documents allowing them to enter the United States.
- On March 9, 2025, Antonio Lerma Cervantes, a Mexican citizen, was arrested on drug importation charges when he attempted to cross into the U.S. from Mexico at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry with more than 60 pounds of cocaine hidden in the rear seat and quarter panels of his vehicle.
- On March 12, 2025, Edy Osorio-Berrelleza, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested after he was caught attempting to transport another citizen of Mexico within the United States. After running away from a Border Patrol Agent, Osorio allegedly threw rocks at both a Customs and Border Protection helicopter and towards Border Patrol agents. Following his arrest, Osorio admitted that he was going to be paid for the smuggling activity, and that he threw rocks at the helicopter and the agents once they were close to him. He is currently charged with alien smuggling and assault on a federal officer.
The Southern District of California says federal authorities are prioritizing investigations and prosecutions against drug, firearm and human smugglers, and those who endanger and threaten the safety of our communities and the law enforcement officers who protect the community.
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