Alamdar Hamdani U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A man from Roma, Texas, has been sentenced for his role in a human smuggling operation that resulted in multiple fatalities. Jose Refugio Torres, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport illegal aliens from the Rio Grande Valley to various locations within the United States. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera sentenced Torres to 36 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. The judge emphasized the serious nature of human smuggling and warned Torres of a potential life sentence if he returns to such activities.
"As this case sadly demonstrates, human smuggling is a crime that takes lives and puts the public at risk," stated Ganjei. He added that securing the border is a top priority for the Southern District of Texas and breaking up smuggling rings is crucial.
Craig Larrabee, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio, highlighted HSI's commitment to working with law enforcement partners to ensure community safety across the United States. "We will remain focused on investigating and dismantling transnational criminal organizations that jeopardize the well-being of individuals," said Larrabee.
The case stems from an attempted smuggling incident in March 2019 when a vehicle carrying illegal aliens overturned in Duval County, resulting in four deaths and six serious injuries. The victims included citizens from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, and a 17-year-old boy from Ecuador.
Torres has been allowed to remain on bond until he voluntarily surrenders to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with support from Border Patrol; Coast Guard; Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations; police departments in Port Mansfield and South Padre Island; Texas Rangers; Texas Game Wardens; sheriff’s offices in Kenedy, Duval, and Willacy Counties; and the Willacy County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose E. Arreola Jr. and Jose Esquivel Jr. prosecuted the case.
