Two brothers have been charged with operating a human smuggling stash house in Sunland Park, New Mexico, where migrants were held hostage. Saul Castorena, 41, and Steven Castorena, 40, pleaded guilty to federal charges of human smuggling and hostage-taking.
The operation was uncovered after U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended two groups of undocumented noncitizens who reported escaping from the stash house. The brothers were later identified and linked to the incident through surveillance and a search warrant obtained by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents.
In his plea agreement, Saul Castorena admitted detaining individuals in order to compel their family to pay for their release. He possessed a shotgun, knowing he had previous felony convictions. Steven Castorena admitted conspiring with others to transport and harbor migrants.
The Court ordered that both brothers remain detained pending sentencing. Saul faces up to life in prison and five years of supervised release upon his release from prison. Steven faces up to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Eric McLoughlin, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations – El Paso, announced the charges today. The investigation was conducted with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
For more information on Saul’s plea agreement, visit here. For Steven’s plea agreement, visit here.
RELATED: Crypto Cash & Cocaine: DR Duo Extradited in Drug Money Scheme
RELATED: New Mexico Brothers Plead Guilty to Hostage-Taking, Human Smuggling
Related Federal Cases
- Clovis Nurse Practitioner Accused of Oxycodone-for-Pills Scheme · New Mexico
- Mexican National Vega-Montoya Sentenced for Heroin Smuggling · Colorado
- Calif. Man Sentenced for Heroin Smuggling in NM · New Mexico
- Tran Syndicate Busted: Chemical Smuggling Ring Exposed · New Mexico
- Fort Worth Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Cocaine Smuggling · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News