A Mexican national has been sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in a human smuggling incident that took place earlier this year, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Alejandro Ramirez-Carranza, 38, of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, pleaded guilty on May 8 to charges including transporting and bringing an alien into the United States, illegal reentry, and being an alien in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera imposed a 60-month prison sentence. Ramirez-Carranza is not a U.S. citizen and is expected to face removal proceedings after completing his sentence.
At the sentencing hearing, the court increased Ramirez-Carranza's sentence due to his role in organizing the smuggling event, brandishing a firearm, and creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.
Issac Azuara-Vasquez, another Mexican citizen aged 40, also pleaded guilty on April 10 to similar smuggling-related charges as well as selling a firearm to Ramirez-Carranza. He was previously sentenced to 54 months in prison and could lose his status as a lawful permanent resident along with facing possible removal proceedings. His sentence was similarly enhanced for brandishing a firearm and recklessly endangering others.
The case stemmed from events on February 12 when authorities were monitoring an area along the border known for frequent smuggling activity. Agents heard what sounded like a boat crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico and then observed individuals being instructed in Spanish to run. Law enforcement officers saw Azuara-Vasquez driving toward the river where several people ran out from brush and climbed into his truck bed.
Ramirez-Carranza was seen retrieving an AR-15-style rifle from the vehicle before running toward those getting into the truck bed despite commands from law enforcement officers to stop and drop the weapon.
Investigators determined that Ramirez-Carranza acted as a river guide and conspired with Azuara-Vasquez to transport undocumented migrants who were apprehended at the scene. One individual reported that Ramirez-Carranza had brought him across the Rio Grande by boat after relatives paid for his passage into the United States.
Ramirez-Carranza has prior felony convictions for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and illegal reentry after deportation; he was last removed from the United States in September 2009.
Both men remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.
The investigation involved Customs and Border Protection with assistance from the FBI and Cameron County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Castro prosecuted the case.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from perpetrators of violent crime," according to officials.
