A Texas woman and her fiancé have been sentenced for leading a human smuggling organization that illegally transported, harbored, and concealed hundreds of undocumented individuals in the United States. Erminia Serrano Piedra, also known as Irma or Boss Lady, and Oscar Angel Monroy Alcibar, known as Pelon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges related to transporting illegal aliens and money laundering.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal sentenced Monroy Alcibar to 135 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Serrano Piedra received a sentence of 121 months with the same conditions. Both were ordered to pay significant money judgments: $438,119 for Monroy Alcibar and $942,537 for Serrano Piedra.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, "The two defendants sentenced in this case were leaders of a human smuggling operation that endangered vulnerable migrants for profit." He highlighted the Justice Department's efforts through Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) since its formation in 2021 to combat dangerous human smuggling networks.

U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani commented on the organization's disregard for human life: "Confining individuals, including minors, in coffin-like spaces with no room to move or breathe reveals this organization’s complete disregard for human life."

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brent S. Wible emphasized the commitment to dismantling such networks: "Because of illegal operations like this one, more than three years ago we launched JTFA to combat the most prolific and harmful human smuggling organizations."

Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari Ph.D., from DHS-OIG said: "This sentencing sends a clear message that those involved in human smuggling will be identified and held accountable for their actions."

Court documents revealed that Serrano Piedra directed operations while Monroy Alcibar coordinated smuggling activities and financial transactions designed to conceal proceeds from illicit activities.

HSI San Antonio Special Agent Craig Larrabee remarked on the global fight against human smuggling: "Fighting transnational human smuggling remains one of our top priorities."

In total, 14 co-conspirators have been sentenced with penalties ranging up to 135 months imprisonment and monetary judgments exceeding $2.3 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day is prosecuting the case alongside other attorneys from various sections within the Department of Justice.

JTFA was established by Attorney General Garland in June 2021 as part of an initiative involving multiple agencies aimed at tackling rising threats from human smuggling groups operating across Central America and beyond.