San Diego Padres pitching prospect Humberto Cruz has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of transporting undocumented immigrants and has self-deported to Mexico, according to a report by The Athletic. The 19-year-old, ranked fifth among Padres prospects by MLB.com, was arrested in October near Lukeville, Arizona, after Border Patrol agents spotted him driving a BMW with Mexican plates that had picked up two passengers who had crossed the border illegally.
Cruz told investigators he answered a social media ad seeking drivers “to pick up people for easy money” and admitted he knew the passengers were in the country illegally. The criminal complaint stated he said he needed the extra money because he did not work in the late afternoons. He was initially charged with felony transportation of illegal aliens for profit and a misdemeanour count of accessory after the fact to improper entry.
In November, Cruz reached a plea agreement that saw the felony charge dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to the lesser offence. The agreement acknowledged that his removal from the United States was “practically inevitable.” Cruz has since returned to his native Mexico.
“To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect,” Cruz said in a statement. “I am committed to reflecting on this moment, learning from it, and taking the appropriate steps to move forward in a positive and responsible manner.”
Cruz signed with the Padres for $750,000 in 2024 out of Monterrey, Mexico. He had already been expected to miss the 2026 season due to arm surgery he underwent in September. The Padres have not commented on his status with the team.
