Texas Border Business
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
LAREDO, Texas – Two Mexican citizens illegally present in the United States have been taken into federal custody on charges relating to conspiracies to forge I-551 stamps as part of human smuggling activities, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Juan Francisco Reyna-Robles, 52, is set to make an initial appearance Jan. 11 at 9:40 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga.
Authorities previously arrested Eugolio Araus Ocampo, 49, who has already made his appearance in federal court.
According to the two-count indictment returned Dec. 12, 2023, Reyna-Robles and Ocampo engaged in conspiracies dating back to 2022 to forge and distribute I-551 stamps as part of a broader human smuggling scheme.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issues “ADIT” or I-551 stamps on foreign passports as temporary evidence of permanent resident status. Such stamps can be used as proof of status for travel, identity verification and employment authorization, according to the charges.
If convicted, they face up to five years for immigration document fraud conspiracy and up to 10 years for human smuggling charges. They could also be ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in fines.
DHS-Office of the Inspector General led the multi-agency investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection – Office of Professional Responsibility, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, Webb County Constable’s Office – 2nd and 4th Precincts and the Laredo Police Department.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Terence A. Check Jr. is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
