CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A Houston man entered a plea of guilty in Corpus Christi federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to harbor and transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Homero Gonzalez-Carranza, 30, pleaded guilty to being a boss in this conspiracy which existed from January 2007 until January 2015.
Gonzalez-Carranza, a citizen of Mexico who resided in Houston, oversaw the transportation of illegal aliens from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston. Illegal aliens would be harbored at stash houses in Houston until ultimately being transported to their final destinations within the United States. During the conspiracy, illegal aliens suffered injuries during transport, such as during high speed chases and vehicles crashes.
In one instance, 115 illegal aliens were discovered in a house in Houston on March 19, 2014. They were held against their will at the stash house which was about 1400 square feet with boarded up windows and doors.
It is estimated that thousands of illegal aliens were transported and harbored during this conspiracy.
Gonzalez-Carranza is scheduled to be sentenced July 14, 2015, by Senior United States District Judge Hayden Head. At that time, Gonzalez-Carranza faces up to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad W. Cowan is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
