An El Paso, Texas, man has admitted to federal charges related to a large-scale human smuggling and money laundering operation. An investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed that Jose Luis Avalos, 42, was at the helm of the operation, which involved transporting and harboring illegal aliens in New Mexico.
Authorities from multiple agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, conducted the investigation. Avalos, along with his wife Kristina Hardin and other associates, collected money through illegal smuggling activities, which was subsequently laundered through various bank accounts. Avalos and Hardin coordinated these activities to further the conspiracy.
The period of criminal activity extended from July 2022 to March 2023 for human smuggling and from August 2021 to December 2022 for money laundering activities. Avalos admitted his role in these operations through a plea agreement.
On May 18, 2023, Avalos faced indictment alongside eight co-conspirators. Hardin pled guilty to laundering money from the operation. David Avalos-Solis, Avalos’ brother, and several others, including Dario Rey Gamboa, Diego Rean Gamboa, Justin Walker, Cindy Escobar, Adam Guerrero, and Nancy Orellana-Recinos, also entered guilty pleas related to their involvement. Sentencing varied for each, with some receiving time served and others, such as Walker, sentenced to serve prison time.
Currently, Avalos awaits sentencing, potentially facing 20 years in prison alongside three years of supervised release. The prosecution is managed by Assistant United States Attorney Randy M. Castellano under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). This task force, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, focuses on combatting human smuggling networks in several countries.
JTFA collaborates with various U.S. Attorney Offices along the Southwest border, supported by diverse components of the Justice Department. Substantial law enforcement involvement from DHS, FBI, and DEA ensures the continued success of JTFA's initiatives. The task force's efforts have led to numerous arrests and convictions related to alien smuggling operations globally.
