McALLEN, Texas - An Alamo man and an illegal alien living in Donna have been ordered to prison for their part in an alien smuggling conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick. Daniel Medina-Acosta, 37, and Arturo Rocha-Guajardo, 37, pleaded guilty in November 2017.
Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Medina-Acosta, 37, to 95 months in federal prison, while Rocha-Guajardo received a 55-month prison term. Medina-Acosta will also serve three years of supervised release. Not a U.S. citizen, Rocha-Guajardo is expected to face deportation proceedings following his incarceration.
The investigation began in April 2017 when a rancher near Encino identified at tractor-trailer appearing to be dropping off illegal aliens on multiple occasions. The investigation led to the discovery of an illegal alien who later identified Medina-Acosta as the person who transported him in a white truck and as the caretaker of a stash house in Donna. Another alien identified Medina-Acosta and stated that he had threatened them with a weapon.
Authorities began conducting surveillance and later executed a search warrant at the stash house. At that time, they discovered 13 illegal aliens inside with Rocha-Guajardo acting as the caretaker of the residence. Medina-Acosta was taken into custody after agents executed an arrest warrant on Oct. 3, 2017.
Both men will remain in custody pending their transfer to U.S. Bureau of Prisons facilities.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Leonard is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
