The U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges against three people in Ohio for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle unaccompanied minors across the U.S. border.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced the smuggling conspiracy charges during a public announcement. The charges are connected to cases involving unaccompanied migrant children who were brought into the United States.

The Justice Department has not released additional details about the specific nature of the alleged smuggling operation or the identities of the three individuals charged. The case appears to be part of ongoing federal efforts to prosecute human smuggling operations that involve vulnerable populations, particularly unaccompanied minors.

The announcement comes as federal authorities continue to address immigration-related crimes and human trafficking operations along the U.S. border. Cases involving unaccompanied minors are typically prioritized due to the vulnerable nature of the victims involved in such alleged criminal enterprises.