A significant number of new cases related to immigration and border security have been filed by the Southern District of Texas, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Between July 18-24, 201 cases were filed, with charges including illegal reentry, human smuggling, and other immigration-related offenses.
Among those charged are five Mexican nationals with previous felony convictions. Cristian Jesus Rodriguez-Cuarenta is accused of conspiracy to transport an illegal alien and had been removed earlier this year. The others—Juan Manuel Perez-Tamez, Ramiro Rodriguez-Esquivel, Jose Martinez-Lemus, and Hector Esael Gonzalez-Garcia—are alleged to be involved in crimes such as drug trafficking and illegal reentry. They were found in Edinburg without authorization and could face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
In McAllen, a suspicious vehicle led authorities to arrest three individuals on human smuggling charges after discovering nearly three dozen illegal aliens hidden in a tractor trailer at a Border Patrol checkpoint. A search connected to the incident resulted in additional arrests.
Laredo resident Juan Francisco Reyna was sentenced for leading a multi-year human smuggling operation using social media and weather conditions for cover. Authorities linked him to stash houses where over $56,000 was seized. He received a sentence of 63 months.
"Over the past six months, the Department of Justice has made securing our national border the number one priority," said Ganjei. "If you engage in these crimes...you will be caught and you will be punished."
Additionally, Johnathan Mata-Espinoza was sentenced for armed carjacking incidents involving threats against victims with a concealed firearm.
In Corpus Christi, Edgar-Ruiz-Briones pleaded guilty to leading a human smuggling organization after being previously removed multiple times from the U.S., now facing up to 30 years in prison.
Jose Pascual Soliz received a sentence for coordinating methamphetamine transportation into the U.S., part of a larger trafficking operation tied to Cartel De Noreste.
A former Texas National Guard soldier was convicted of alien smuggling following evidence presented during his trial.
These actions are part of Operation Take Back America which aims at eliminating cartels and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest nationwide due to its large jurisdiction covering over nine million people across seven divisions working closely with various law enforcement agencies on these matters.
An indictment or criminal complaint is not evidence but merely an accusation until proven through due process.
