One of the 12 survivors from a border crossing that left 14 dead in the desert east of Yuma was arrested Tuesday and accused of being a smuggling guide.
Jesus Lopez-Ramos, 20, a Mexican citizen from Sonoyta, Sonora, was charged with bringing in illegal immigrants, conspiracy to bring in illegal immigrants and harboring illegal immigrants, the Immigration and Naturalization Service said.
"Witnesses identified his participation in the smuggling venture," said Maurice Moore, assistant chief patrol agent for the U.S. Border Patrol in Yuma.
Court documents say he and another smuggler took $90 from the immigrants, promised to return with water and left them. They didn't return. Lopez-Ramos was found about five miles from I-8. Court papers said he was one of three smugglers. The fate of the others is unknown.
Moore said a binational investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely.
The 11 other survivors are in Border Patrol custody in Yuma and will be brought to Phoenix this week to give depositions.
"If this is the right person, I want justice to be done," Gov. Jane Hull said, "and I want anybody involved with this incident prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."