⏱ 2 min read
Kelly Denise Hernandez, 38, of Birmingham, Alabama, and Enrique Garcia-Gonzalez, 27, a Mexican national, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens for profit in Louisiana. The duo, along with another co-conspirator, had been smuggling aliens from Mexico into the US, then transporting them within the country for a fee. They were caught by law enforcement in Denham Springs, Louisiana, on their way back to Birmingham.
According to court admissions, Hernandez and Garcia-Gonzalez had traveled to Houston, Texas, where they planned to charge each alien a monetary fee for unlawful transportation. The pair face up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and supervised release. Garcia-Gonzalez, an illegal alien himself, will also be subject to removal or deportation from the US after serving his sentence.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime. The investigation was led by US Homeland Security Investigations, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the US Department of Homeland Security.
US Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the agencies involved, noting their crucial role in bringing Hernandez and Garcia-Gonzalez to justice. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Lyman E. Thornton III and Special Assistant United States Attorney Allen L. Ross.
Related Federal Cases
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- Jesus Christian Martinez, Conspiracy with Intent to Distribute, Louisiana 2015 · Alabama
- Saquena Queenie Griffin, Medicare Kickback Conspiracy, Louisiana 2024 · Michigan
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Human Trafficking
- Defendant: Louisiana
- Location: LA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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