Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney has announced that Fredi Herrera-Sontay, a 42-year-old Guatemalan citizen, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal transportation of an undocumented alien within the United States. The offense carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, although a sentencing date has not yet been determined.

The plea agreement reveals that U.S. Border Patrol agents received intelligence about a grey truck with a Georgia license plate suspected of transporting undocumented aliens along I-75 between Atlanta, Georgia, and South Florida. On January 29, 2025, agents identified the vehicle on I-75 and confirmed Herrera as its registered owner. It was also determined that he was unlawfully present in the country.

During the vehicle stop, both Herrera and his passenger claimed Guatemalan citizenship but could not provide documentation authorizing their presence in the United States. Further investigation showed that Herrera had purchased the vehicle on February 4, 2022, when it had 88,054 miles on its odometer. By the time of the stop, it had accumulated 435,814 miles—an increase of 347,760 miles or approximately 9,660 miles per month since purchase.

Both individuals were taken into custody for immigration processing at the Jacksonville Border Patrol Station. Agents discovered that Herrera had previous immigration encounters and was deported from the U.S. on July 11, 2018. No prior records were found for his passenger.

Herrera admitted during questioning that he was paid $250 to transport his passenger to Miami and generally received this amount per person transported. When asked about how many times he had engaged in such activities, Herrera stated he did not know or have any idea of the number.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier following an investigation by the U.S. Border Patrol.