A federal grand jury has indicted Juan Manuel Aguirre, 49, from Laredo, Texas, on charges related to the transportation and smuggling of undocumented individuals. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Aguirre faces a three-count indictment for conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States and for transporting an undocumented alien within the country for financial gain. His arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge is anticipated soon.

The criminal complaint details that on December 2, law enforcement observed people being loaded into a white trailer at a warehouse parking lot. After the trailer left the site, authorities stopped it and allegedly found 101 non-U.S. citizens locked inside, including 12 unaccompanied children. Two individuals reportedly experienced breathing difficulties and feared for their lives due to the conditions in the trailer.

If convicted, Aguirre could face up to 10 years in prison per count and fines reaching $250,000.

The operation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Border Patrol under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative. They received support from Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. OCDETF focuses on identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations using a multi-agency approach led by prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling is leading the prosecution of this case.

It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation of criminal conduct; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process.