Man Accused of Sexual Assault During Harboring Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

PHOENIX—Feliciano Rojas-Vivar, aka Ruben Lopez-Lopez, 53, of Pueblas, Mexico, was sentenced on October 23, 2009, by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone to 15 years in federal prison. Rojas-Vivar pleaded guilty to three counts of Harboring Illegal Aliens for Profit at his Phoenix residence in 2007. His step-son, Juan Daniel Rojas-Perez, 30, also of Pueblas, Mexico, was sentenced on March 23, 2009, by Judge Martone to 46 months in prison. He pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Harbor Aliens.

In November 2007, Rojas-Vivar and Rojas-Perez worked together to harbor illegal aliens at a house owned by Rojas-Vivar. One of the aliens held at the residence was a juvenile female and at sentencing, Judge Martone found that there was credible evidence that Rojas-Vivar sexually assaulted her during the harboring. His step-son was not involved with the sexual assault. Both men had lived in the U.S. for an extended period of time and Rojas-Vivar had a history of alien smuggling. During sentencing, the judge stated that Rojas-Vivar had imposed a “reign of terror” on the juvenile victim and that his extreme conduct was unusually degrading.

The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance provided by the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Lisa Jennis Settel, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-07-1388-PHX-FJM

RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-335 (Rojas-Vivar)