Carmelo Diaz-Gopar, Transporting and Harboring Aliens, Texas 2012

Nine Aliens Killed in Grisly Smuggling Operation

McALLEN, Texas – In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of human smuggling, four defendants were sentenced to prison for their roles in a brutal operation that resulted in the deaths of nine undocumented aliens.

The defendants, Carmelo Diaz-Gopar, 26, of Mexico, Jose Vega-Zapata, 37, of Mexico, Gloria Solis, 26, of Mission, and Luis Julian Vargas, 21, of Mission, all pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport and harbor illegal aliens within the U.S., resulting in the death of at least one person.

According to court records, on April 10, 2012, Border Patrol agents attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a mini-van suspected of transporting undocumented aliens. The mini-van initially stopped on the side of the road in Palmview, at which time Diaz-Gopar exited from the van and ran away in an attempt to elude agents.

The driver of the van, a juvenile, then drove away at a high rate of speed and was involved in a single-car accident just a short distance from the location of the original stop. A total of 16 undocumented aliens were being transported in the mini-van at the time of the accident. Nine were killed and the others were taken to local hospitals to seek medical treatment.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced the sentences, which were handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa. Vega-Zapata received a sentence of 132 months in federal prison, while Diaz-Gopar, Solis, and Vargas received respective sentences of 121, 42, and 100 months imprisonment.

Additionally, Vargas and Solis must serve two years of supervised release following completion of their prison terms. Both Diaz-Gopar and Vega-Zapata are illegal aliens and are expected to face deportation proceedings following release from prison.

The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers and consequences of human smuggling, and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to prevent such crimes.

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