TULSA, Okla. — Seven individuals from Guatemala, living illegally in the United States, have been sentenced for their roles in smuggling illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border and transporting them to various states, including Oklahoma, according to the Homeland Security Task Force.
Authorities identified the leader of the operation as Cidia Marleny Lima Lopez, who coordinated with six other defendants to transport immigrants from Central America, South America, and Asia into the United States for a fee between October 2021 and April 2025.
How the Operation Worked
Court documents state that Cidia used social media to coordinate payments to accomplices in Guatemala. These accomplices would transport individuals to Mexico, where they stayed until they could cross the border illegally into the United States.
Once across, drivers arranged by Cidia transported the immigrants to stash houses in multiple states, including Oklahoma, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.
Investigators said Cidia admitted to organizing the drivers and stash house operators, stating that the drivers collected payment under her direction.
Each illegal immigrant paid approximately $5,000 to be smuggled into the U.S. Money collected from the immigrants was deposited into bank accounts accessible to Cidia and her co-conspirators, which Cidia admitted using to purchase vehicles and real estate.
Asset Forfeiture
On April 24, 2025, court records show Cidia forfeited three trucks and two ATVs seized during a search in Oklahoma City. She also surrendered all interests in two homes in Oklahoma City and three properties in Sequoyah County.
Sentencing of Defendants
The seven individuals received the following sentences for Conspiracy to Bring and Transport Aliens in the United States Illegally for Private Financial Gain:
- Cidia Marleny Lima Lopez (40), Charlotte, North Carolina — Two years and nine months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
- Ottoniel Castro Argueta (33), Charlotte, North Carolina — Four years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
- Veronica Maribel Lima Lopez (34), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — One year and one day in prison, followed by one year of supervised release.
- Ariz Obdulio Argueta (30), Clarksville, Arkansas — Time served (April 2025–March 2026), followed by three years of supervised release.
- Pedro Cucul Gualna (26), Sallisaw, Oklahoma — Time served (April 2025–April 2026), followed by one year of supervised release.
- Carlos Enrique Ramos Caal (31), Flagstaff, Arizona — Time served (April 2025–March 2026), followed by two years of supervised release.
- Cesar Rodolfo Garcia Argueta (21), Clarksville, Arkansas — Time served (April 2025–March 2026), followed by three years of supervised release for Attempt to Bring an Alien to the United States Illegally for Private Financial Gain.
Authorities noted that all seven defendants were living in the U.S. illegally and are expected to be deported after completion of their sentences and removal proceedings.
