Texas Border Business
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
McALLEN, Texas – A local resident and two Mexican nationals have been charged with human smuggling.
The criminal complaint alleges Joe Michael Cruz, 64, Rio Grande City, and Elbis Lisandro Moreno Uruqia, 19, transported aliens from Mission to Hebbronville, while Jesus Felipe Hernandez Rangel, 21, allegedly harbored aliens at a residence in Mission.
According to the charges, Cruz arrived at the Hebbronville Border Patrol (BP) Checkpoint early July 17 driving a truck towing a box trailer. Law enforcement noticed the trailer had an uneven weight distribution and searched it, leading to the discovery of 24 illegal aliens, including Moreno, according to the charges. The complaint alleges Moreno was accompanying the aliens in the back of the trailer but was a paid smuggler. Moreno and Cruz had allegedly smuggled 18 aliens two weeks earlier.
According to the complaint, two of the transported aliens provided information on the residence where they were earlier that morning. The charges allege authorities executed a search warrant at the location and found another 10 illegal aliens with Hernandez, who was identified as the caretaker of the residence.
If convicted, all face a maximum of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 maximum possible fine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and Homeland Security Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the BP. 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.
Updated July 21, 2025
