WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal Division issued the following news release:
A Cuban national pleaded guilty today to alien smuggling, asylum fraud, and money laundering.
According to court documents, Yuniel Lima-Santos, 31, of Tampa, Florida, conspired with others to operate an alien smuggling organization (ASO) which encouraged or induced thousands of Cuban aliens to enter the United States through the southern border and used fraudulent Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and visa waivers. The defendants advertised their smuggling services and bogus visa services across multiple social media platforms to solicit Cuban nationals and other aliens to attempt to illegally enter the United State...