Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Houston resident, Armando Balladares-Prado, has been found guilty of smuggling illegal aliens into the United States. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei after a jury deliberated for about an hour following a two-day trial.
Balladares-Prado, 66, who has been a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. since 1989, was convicted after authorities discovered two Guatemalan citizens hidden under the bed of his truck's sleeper compartment during an inspection at a Border Patrol checkpoint south of Falfurrias on May 5, 2024.
The prosecution presented evidence that Balladares-Prado had instructed the individuals on how to avoid detection and what to say if questioned by law enforcement. Despite defense claims suggesting the individuals entered the truck without his knowledge, the jury found these arguments unconvincing.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and scheduled sentencing for September 3. Balladares-Prado could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Following his conviction, Balladares-Prado was taken into custody and will remain detained until sentencing. The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts from various branches of the Department of Justice.
