Demi Mishel Muniz, Alien Smuggling, Texas 2010

Convicted Alien Smuggler Faces Life in Prison

A Houston federal jury convicted Demi Mishel Muniz, 38, of Los Angeles, California, of conspiracy to transport and harbor aliens resulting in the death of a 38-year-old illegal alien from Mexico.

The body of the deceased was discovered on August 18, 2010, on the side of Interstate 40 outside of Vega, approximately 20 miles west of Amarillo.

Testimony revealed that Muniz had contacted the wife of the deceased, who was being smuggled from Mexico into the United States, and provided a bank account number for the deposit of $650 in smuggling fees.

However, Muniz refused to provide medical help to the deceased, who was a diabetic, and instead kept moving the van with other people inside.

An autopsy determined that the deceased died of a combination of pneumonia and diabetes, and had likely survived with proper and timely medical care.

Muniz was found guilty of conspiracy to transport and harbor aliens resulting in death, and faces up to life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 at sentencing on May 14, 2013.

The case was investigated by the Oldham County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant United States Attorneys Julie Searle and Douglas Davis prosecuted the case.

The bank accounts of Muniz were extensively reviewed, and it was determined that approximately $84,000 was derived from unknown sources, consistent with alien smuggling operations.

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