A Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for his involvement in a human trafficking conspiracy, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas.
Michael Anthony Martinez, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and received a sentence of 33 months in federal prison from U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on December 10, 2025.
Court records show that Martinez used a social media account to offer significant payment to individuals willing to drive illegal aliens to their destinations. Bank records and text messages between Martinez and his recruits provided evidence of the criminal activity.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a national effort by the Department of Justice aimed at addressing illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Tyler Resident Office and the Tyler Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Farahnak 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 (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime."
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