A Penitas resident, Jesus Grimaldo, also known as Chuy, was sentenced on April 29 to 120 months in federal prison for his leadership role in a human smuggling organization that resulted in a death, according to Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Grimaldo pleaded guilty on Oct. 22, 2025, and will serve the maximum sentence followed by three years of supervised release. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal authorities to address human smuggling and related crimes in South Texas.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales enhanced Grimaldo's sentence after finding him responsible for smuggling more than 100 individuals during the conspiracy, using or brandishing a firearm during operations, recklessly endangering lives, kidnapping, and recruiting drivers for coordinated trips. The court noted that a death occurred during the scheme and stated it would not have happened but for Grimaldo’s leadership role.
The investigation began when authorities responded to a report of a deceased man on May 8, 2024 in Brooks County. The victim was identified as an undocumented migrant from Mexico who died from heat exposure. Analysis of his phone revealed payments through CashApp and Zelle to Grimaldo. Investigators found that between June 2022 and April 2025 Grimaldo coordinated multiple smuggling events with recruited drivers after migrants crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and arranged transportation past Border Patrol checkpoints under dangerous conditions such as extreme heat.
Law enforcement determined that Grimaldo received substantial payments for leading these operations and placing people at risk by transporting them in vehicle trunks during high temperatures. He will remain in custody until transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility is arranged.
The case was investigated by Border Patrol agents with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amanda Gould and Joseph Griffith as part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling criminal organizations involved in violent crime.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has included notable figures such as Alamdar Hamdani and Ryan Patrick among its former leaders according to the official history page. Offices are located across Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville as described on the official website. The office is part of the Department of Justice under the Attorney General according to its website, employs over 200 attorneys covering more than nine million residents across 43 counties as detailed online, focuses on prosecuting federal crimes and handling civil cases for the government, with Alamdar Hamdani serving from 2022-2025 among other leaders as noted online.
