Roberto Garcia Villarreal, a 59-year-old resident of San Benito, Texas, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 criminal fine for his involvement in a conspiracy that monopolized the transmigrante forwarding agency industry in the Los Indios border region of Texas. The sentencing follows an investigation into activities that included price fixing, extortion of competitors, and market allocation.
Villarreal was immediately taken into custody after the court's decision. He was found guilty of participating with co-defendants in controlling the transmigrante industry through illegal business practices and violence.
“Antitrust criminals deserve lengthy sentences for the economic — and in this case physical — violence they sow," said Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Daniel W. Glad of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. "The Antitrust Division is proud to have worked with our law enforcement colleagues on this long-running investigation that will restore competition and punish violent criminals at the U.S.-Mexico border. We will continue working to incarcerate antitrust criminals and hold accountable the remaining co-defendants in this scheme.”
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas stated: “Roberto Garcia chose to join a criminal enterprise that seized control of an industry through threats and violence, rigged prices against legitimate businesses, and laundered its proceeds — and now, he is headed to federal prison. Today’s sentence serves as proof that no participant of this conspiracy will walk away without consequence. Although, the conspiracy may be finished, the Southern District of Texas is just getting started.”
Acting Assistant Director Gregory Heeb from the FBI Criminal Division added: “The use of violence and intimidation to threaten and remove competition will not be tolerated. Today’s sentencing shows the FBI’s commitment to investigating and holding accountable those responsible for price fixing and extortion schemes.”
“This case highlights the significant danger posed by transnational criminal organizations operating near our borders,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge John A. Pasciucco from HSI San Antonio Field Office. “As an accomplice in carrying out a violent operation that targeted small businesses for extortion, manipulated market prices, and concealed millions of dollars in illicit funds—undermining the security and fairness of lawful trade — HSI will relentlessly seek out those who harm legitimate industries through dishonest actions and intimidation. Our dedication to protecting our communities and economic stability remains firm.”
Transmigrantes are individuals or companies arranging transport for used vehicles or goods from the United States through Mexico for resale further south into Central America. There are limited points where these crossings can occur; one major crossing is at Los Indios Bridge near Harlingen.
According to court records, Villarreal conspired with others to fix prices charged by transmigrante forwarding agencies—businesses helping clients complete customs paperwork necessary for exporting vehicles—and created a centralized group known as "the Pool" which managed revenue collection among conspirators while restricting outside competition.
Villarreal pleaded guilty on counts related to conspiring both to fix prices/allocate markets within transmigrante forwarding services as well as interfering with commerce by means of extortion.
Eight others have also been convicted so far; seven have already received their sentences—including Carlos Martinez from McAllen who received an 11-year term as leader of this scheme.
Three individuals named Rigoberto Brown, Miguel Hipolito Caballero Aupart, and Diego Ceballos-Soto remain fugitives following their indictment. Authorities encourage anyone with information about these individuals or other relevant details regarding this case to contact either the Antitrust Division’s Complaint Center or other designated tip lines.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) alongside the FBI.
Prosecution was handled by attorneys from both DOJ's Antitrust Division—including Senior Litigation Attorney John Davis—and local prosecutors from Southern District of Texas such as Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander L. Alum.
Officials remind potential whistleblowers that reporting original information leading to significant fines or recoveries may make them eligible for rewards ranging between 15%–30% under the Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program.
