Mailon Almendares-Martinez, a 21-year-old from New Orleans, has been convicted of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. This conviction is linked to a failed human smuggling attempt that resulted in two individuals being shot by suspected rival smugglers. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Houston Police Department, leading to the conviction of eight human smugglers.
Chad Plantz, ICE Homeland Security Investigations Houston Special Agent in Charge, commented on the case: “This is another unfortunate example of the dangers of relying on human smugglers to circumvent U.S. immigration law.” He emphasized that these smugglers are motivated by greed and disregard for safety, putting lives at risk to avoid detection.
The investigation showed that Almendares-Martinez conspired with others between October 30 and November 2, 2022, to transport aliens from South Texas to Houston. Testimonies revealed he recruited accomplices from New Orleans and offered payments ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per transported individual. Communication through WhatsApp messages and phone calls directed conspirators on pickup locations.
While transporting the aliens back to Houston, they were attacked by individuals believed to be part of a rival smuggling group. Two aliens sustained gunshot wounds during this attack. Despite their injuries, Almendares-Martinez instructed his co-conspirators not to seek medical help but instead continue their journey to Houston.
On November 1, 2022, the injured aliens were taken to a motel in Houston where they later escaped. Law enforcement detained four individuals at the scene: Jonathan Melendez-Merino, Oscar Melendez-Sosa, Cristian Mencias-Padilla, and Cesar Monge-Milla.
The defense argued that someone else used Almendares-Martinez's WhatsApp account for communication; however, the jury rejected this claim and found him guilty as charged.
Almendares-Martinez is scheduled for sentencing on August 11 and faces up to ten years in federal prison along with fines reaching $250,000. After being released on bond earlier in the process, he was taken into custody following his conviction pending sentencing.
Seven other individuals from New Orleans had previously pleaded guilty in connection with this case: Melendez-Merino (32), Melendez-Sosa (22), Mencias-Padilla (21), Monge-Milla (25), Yunior Sorto-Ramirez (23), Bayron Pineda-Alvarado, and Alan Galvez-Baquedano (22).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Day and Anthony Franklyn prosecuted this case.
