A total of 262 new cases involving immigration and related crimes were filed in the Southern District of Texas from August 8 to 14, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Of those charged, 109 individuals face allegations of illegally reentering the United States. Many have prior felony convictions for offenses such as narcotics, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and previous immigration violations. Another 132 people are accused of illegal entry into the country, while 15 face human smuggling charges. The remaining cases involve other immigration-related crimes and firearms offenses.
One case involves Osvaldo Martin Acevedo-Rodriguez, who is charged with being an alien illegally in possession of a firearm. Authorities reportedly found a .40 caliber pistol along with a THC cartridge and methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Edinburg. The complaint states he had been previously removed from the country at least once. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in federal prison.
In another incident, Mario Alberto Mercado from Laredo was charged after allegedly failing to yield to law enforcement and crashing his vehicle during an attempted escape. According to court records, four passengers in his car were treated for minor injuries and found to be in the country illegally. Mercado faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Criminal complaints also detail attempts by three individuals—Honduran nationals Mauricio Misael Martinez-Martinez and Irma Alcerro-Catano, and Mexican national Domingo Martinez-Vasquez—to unlawfully reenter the U.S. after recent removals earlier this year. All three reportedly have prior felony convictions including illegal reentry or assault-related charges and could face up to 20 years in federal prison upon conviction.
A Brownsville federal jury recently returned guilty verdicts against Leonardo Baez-Lara and Alicia Avila-Guel, owners of Abby’s Bakery and Dulce’s Café in Los Fresnos, for employing and housing undocumented workers within their restaurant premises. Testimony revealed employees lived on-site under poor conditions without proper authorization to work or reside there.
“The jury’s verdict vindicates the American people’s mandate that our immigration laws be fully enforced,” said Ganjei. “Business owners who put profits over their fellow citizens by harboring illegal aliens should be advised that the Southern District of Texas will not look the other way.”
Cesar Rafael Leon was taken into custody following a crash during an alleged smuggling attempt through the Rio Grande Valley after ignoring orders to stop and striking a law enforcement vehicle while transporting five undocumented individuals. He faces up to 20 years if convicted.
In Victoria, Guatemalan national Miguel Angel Puac-Ramirez was found guilty by a federal jury for felony reentry after removal following a brief deliberation period.
Federal agencies involved include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with state and local partners.
These prosecutions fall under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative focused on countering illegal immigration activities by leveraging resources from various Department of Justice programs aimed at combating organized crime groups.
The Southern District of Texas is one of the busiest jurisdictions nationally; it covers more than nine million residents across 43 counties spanning approximately 44,000 square miles with Assistant U.S. Attorneys working out of seven divisions throughout major cities including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo.
As noted by authorities: An indictment or criminal complaint is only an accusation; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due legal process.
