Texas Border Business
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
McALLEN, Texas – Four people, two of whom are illegal aliens themselves, have been charged for their alleged involvement in an alien smuggling ring.
The criminal complaint alleges all four harbored illegal aliens at residences throughout Hidalgo County.
On Aug. 20, one of the suspects left a residence in Edinburg and committed a traffic violation, according to the charges. During the subsequent traffic stop, authorities allegedly discovered an illegal alien in the passenger seat.
Shortly thereafter, law enforcement executed search warrants at that residence and another in Donna, and found an additional 24 illegal aliens, two of whom were unaccompanied minors, according to the charges.
According to the charges, the illegal aliens had been previously held at the house, where they had been photographed. They also allegedly took their phones. Court documents indicate the suspects then transported them to the various stash houses across Hidalgo County.
The illegal aliens discovered at the locations are from the countries of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and India, according to the charges.
As part of the investigation, nine of these aliens are now also charged with felony illegal reentry after removal and face up to 10 years in federal prison. Criminal complaints also charge 10 others with illegal entry into the United States.
If convicted, they face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devin V. Walker is prosecuting 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 the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
