A significant legal development unfolded in the Southern District of Texas, where U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced that 204 new cases related to immigration and border security offenses were filed from June 13-19. The charges involve various offenses, including illegal reentry into the United States and human smuggling.
Among those charged are Adrian Alberto Castillo-Contador and Lorenzo Ramirez. Castillo-Contador allegedly attempted to enter the U.S. through the Hidalgo port of entry, evading a Customs and Border Protection officer and causing injury during apprehension. Ramirez was found near an abandoned vehicle after a failed smuggling event near Weslaco, allegedly assaulting Border Patrol agents during his arrest.
The district also reported several cases involving previous felons who had illegally reentered the U.S., including Mexican nationals Ivan Edgar Martinez, Carlos Bartolo Santiago-Hernandez, and Hugo Jimenez-Castillo. All face potential sentences of up to 20 years if convicted.
Law enforcement partners conducted multiple arrests related to drug trafficking and money laundering operations. Grand juries in Houston and McAllen returned indictments for offenses involving cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine trafficking, firearms-related crimes, and money laundering as part of investigations dubbed Operation Red Ranger, Borrowed Time, and Resurrection.
In Laredo, two cartel firearms traffickers received federal prison sentences: Jorge Alberto Morales-Calvo for 41 months and Homero Arteaga Jr. for 57 months. They were involved in plans to smuggle firearms across the border to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
In Corpus Christi, Noel Mercado was sentenced to 36 months for transporting illegal aliens in hidden compartments within a vehicle. The court emphasized the severity of treating individuals "like trash."
Additional cases included Braulio Ivan Rueda's sentencing to 21 months for engaging in a high-speed chase while transporting illegal aliens near Laredo. Anthony Jacob Garza faces up to 10 years in prison after authorities found three illegal aliens hiding under a blanket in his SUV's cargo area.
Two Mexican nationals with prior convictions are returning to prison for illegal reentry: Abelino Hernandez-Torres was sentenced to 60 months, while Hector Ruben Cardenas-Morales received a 63-month sentence following his fifth return after removal from the U.S.
These prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations by utilizing resources from various law enforcement agencies.
The Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest jurisdictions nationwide due to its extensive coverage area spanning 43 counties with over nine million residents.
