Corpus Christi, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, a 24-year-old foreign national residing in Houston has been found guilty of attempting to transport an alien.
The trial, which lasted two days, concluded with a federal jury deliberating for less than four hours before convicting Bakunduwukize Desire.
According to testimony, Desire claimed to have had a fight with his girlfriend and needed a ride back to Houston when he arrived at the Falfurrias Checkpoint on December 8, 2019. However, it was later revealed that he had actually picked up an alien at a stash house in the valley and was paid $800 to transport him to Houston.
Desire’s defense team attempted to argue that he did not know the alien was illegally present in the United States, but the jury saw through their claims and found Desire guilty as charged.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara J. De Pena and Amanda Gould prosecuting on behalf of the government.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton presided over the trial and set sentencing for August 12, 2019. At that time, Desire faces up to five years of imprisonment and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Despite the conviction, Desire was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
The verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcing immigration laws and preventing human trafficking in the United States.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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