CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The final defendant has admitted her guilt in the human smuggling conspiracy that left six people dead in Robstown in June 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Mayra Chaver, 32, of Honduras, pleaded guilty today to assisting an undocumented immigrant to evade arrest. The three others charged in relation to the crime - Mexican citizens Agustin Gutierrez-Gonzalez, 33, and Ivan Dario Puga-Moreno, 30; and Elena Ruiz, 35, of Corpus Christi - had previously entered their guilty pleas to conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens into the United States causing death or serious bodily injury.
On June 5, 2019, authorities discovered a wrecked Chevrolet Suburban in a ditch in Robstown. Six people were found deceased at the scene with 12 more requiring hospitalization due to their significant injuries.
Puga-Moreno was the driver of the wrecked vehicle and had been attempting to smuggle 18 undocumented immigrants. Further investigation revealed Puga-Moreno fled the scene of the accident with the assistance of his girlfriend and friends Ruiz, Chaver and Gutierrez-Gonzalez.
At the time of his plea, Puga-Moreno admitted he was driving the vehicle that crashed. He also acknowledged that when the accident occurred, he was evading police, confirming he was a citizen from Mexico and fled to Houston in an attempt to avoid arrest.
Chaver, Ruiz and Gutierrez-Gonzalez admitted they helped Puga-Moreno flee the scene and evade arrest after the crashed occurred.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing April 22. At that time, Puga-Moreno, Ruiz and Gutierrez-Gonzalez face up to life in prison. Chaver received time served for her role in the offense.
Puga-Moreno and Gutierrez-Gonzalez have been and will remain in custody pending sentencing. Ruiz was permitted to remain on bond pending her hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, Corpus Christi Police Department and Nueces County Sherriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Cody Barnes and Jeremy Carl Fugate are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
