Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
Two Mexican nationals have been charged with conspiring to transport illegal aliens, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Jose Manuel Zamarripa-Torres, 38, and Daniel Flores-Hernandez, 19, are scheduled for initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano.
The criminal complaint states that on March 20, law enforcement witnessed a raft crossing the Rio Grande River from Mexico into the United States. It is alleged that Zamarripa-Torres then picked up five illegal aliens from this raft in a Ford SUV, one of whom was reportedly Flores-Hernandez acting as the brush guide.
According to the charges, when law enforcement attempted a traffic stop, Zamarripa-Torres fled and did not yield. Authorities deployed vehicle immobilization devices during the pursuit; however, Zamarripa-Torres continued driving.
Zamarripa-Torres allegedly collided with an occupied civilian vehicle, a power pole, and a fence before stopping after a 6.1-mile chase.
If convicted, both Zamarripa-Torres and Flores-Hernandez could face up to 10 years in federal prison and a potential $250,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker is prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation of criminal conduct and not evidence. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due process of law.
