BROWNSVILLE, Texas - A 22-year-old man illegally residing in San Benito has been ordered to federal prison following multiple convictions, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Edgar Garcia-Torres pleaded guilty July 28, 2022, to harboring undocumented individuals within the United States for commercial advantage and private financial gain, being an alien in possession of a firearm and illegal re-entry into the United States.
Today, U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. ordered Garcia-Torres to serve 48 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, Garcia-Torres is again expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the multiple crimes to which Garcia-Torres pleaded guilty.
On June 13, 2022, law enforcement discovered two harbored aliens at a residence located on Palm Drive in San Benito. Shortly after, they arrested Garcia-Torres for harboring the undocumented individuals. A subsequent search of a second residence located on Bowie Street resulted in the seizure of two firearms, one of which was stolen, and $17,500 in U.S. currency. Authorities were able to link the items to Garcia-Torres.
He ultimately admitted to harboring 50-60 undocumented aliens at the location.
Garcia-Torres had been previously removed from the country and did not have lawful presence in the United States.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and Cameron County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Coronado prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
