ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – An El Paso man has been charged in connection with an alleged alien smuggling operation after federal agents uncovered a stash house containing sixteen undocumented individuals following a failed smuggling attempt.
According to court records, on February 13, 2026, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a failed alien smuggling attempt involving a tractor trailer carrying nineteen undocumented individuals at the Las Cruces Border Patrol Checkpoint on Interstate 25.
Through interviews and investigative findings, agents identified a suspected stash house at a residence in El Paso, Texas. On February 26, 2026, agents executed the search warrant at the residence and encountered approximately sixteen undocumented individuals inside.
All stated they were not citizens of the United States and did not possess lawful immigration documents. The individuals were transported to the El Paso Border Patrol Station for processing.
During subsequent interviews, two material witnesses identified Crescencio Pacheco Olvera, 37, as the caretaker of the stash house and as a transport driver involved in the smuggling operation.
Crescencio Pacheco Olvera is charged with conspiracy to harbor, transport, and bring in undocumented individuals and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Crescencio Pacheco Olvera faces up to 10 years in prison.
HSI Las Cruces investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanisha V. Henson is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Juan Rodriguez, Drug Smuggling, New York 2023 · Texas
- John Kruger, Heroin Smuggling, New York, 2023 · Texas
- David William Welbig, Aggravated Identity Theft, New Mexico 2014 · Texas
- Robert O’Dell Neihart, Bank Robbery with Firearm, New Mexico 2012 · Texas
- Jessie Hopper, Sr. and Polly Hopper, Kidnapping, New Mexico 2014 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Human Trafficking|Border Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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