Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
Two residents of Brownfield, Texas, have pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport illegal aliens, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
On March 22, a Ford Expedition was observed by authorities circumventing a Border Patrol checkpoint near Laredo. Mac Quese Howard, 20, was identified as the driver with De Richardson Miller, 18, in the front passenger seat providing directions. A traffic stop revealed three illegal aliens hidden in the back seat.
Both Miller and Howard confessed to traveling to Laredo specifically to pick up the aliens and transport them to San Antonio for payment. Howard anticipated receiving $5,000 to share with Miller upon delivery of the individuals.
Sentencing will be determined by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña at a later date. Both defendants face potential penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison and fines reaching $250,000.
Howard remains in custody while Miller has been released on bond pending sentencing.
The investigation was carried out by Border Patrol agents and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative utilizing resources from the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The operation involves efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
