debts. In another instance, captors threatened a mother that her child  would come home in a box  if fees were not provided.

Sentencing for other ring members has also been handed down.

Co-conspirator Cristóbal Mejia-Chaj was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison following a guilty plea. Co-defendant José Paxtor-Oxlaj was previously sentenced on July 31 to 78 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $64,945 in restitution for his role in the fatal crash, which he is currently serving alongside a state sentence in Oklahoma.

What they're saying:

First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the severe physical danger and exploitation inherent in human trafficking operations following the court proceedings.

 This criminal built an illicit money-making machine off the desperation of illegal immigrants,  said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli.

 This case, which involved hostage taking, sexual assault, and children killed in a car accident, proves that smuggling aliens into our country is not a harmless crime. It is for the safety of our citizens and immigrants themselves that we zealously police and protect our borders. 

What's next:

While primary sentencings have concluded for three key defendants, the legal proceedings surrounding the smuggling network remain active.

Judge Valenzuela will schedule an additional restitution hearing at a later date to determine financial compensation for Renoj-Matul's kidnapping victims, while Mejia-Chaj faces a separate restitution hearing scheduled for December 11.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue their search for fugitive Helmer Obispo-Hernández.