Eustolia Casarreal-Morales, Harboring Illegal Aliens, Montana 2026

Belgrade Woman Pleads Guilty to Harboring Illegal Aliens

A Belgrade woman has admitted to harboring illegal individuals, sparking concerns about the presence of undocumented immigrants in the area. Eustolia Casarreal-Morales, 56, pleaded guilty to harboring illegal aliens in a U.S. District Court in Missoula, Montana.

The investigation revealed that Casarreal-Morales was in contact with at least one of the key smugglers involved in the case. Law enforcement identified a residence in Belgrade suspected of housing illegal aliens and secured a search warrant, which was executed on August 12, 2025. Twelve individuals who were in the United States illegally were discovered inside the residence, as was Casarreal-Morales.

Casarreal-Morales faces up to 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release for each illegal alien involved in the offense. U.S. District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is set for April 8, 2026, in Missoula, Montana.

Casarreal-Morales was released with conditions pending further proceedings. The government alleged that the individuals, who were smuggled into the United States from Mexico, were eventually provided jobs in the Bozeman area. They identified individuals in the area who were involved in their smuggling.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol conducted the investigation. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to repel the invasion of illegal immigration and protect communities from perpetrators of violent crime.

Casarreal-Morales provided a brief statement at the scene, indicating she was aware the individuals in the house were not legally in the United States and that was wrong. Some of the 12 individuals were interviewed, explaining how they initially entered the United States through a proper visa that since expired or were smuggled into the United States.

At least two of those witnesses indicated Casarreal-Morales knew the smuggler referenced above. Critically, three of those witnesses also outlined how she sold them fake identification documents.

Casarreal-Morales has been released with conditions pending further proceedings. The case is ongoing, and any updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Defendant: Eustolia Casarreal-Morales, 56, of Belgrade, Montana

Criminal Charges: Harboring illegal aliens

City and State: Missoula, Montana

Exact Date: August 12, 2025 (search warrant execution)

Sentence or Outcome: Up to 10 years of imprisonment, $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release

Dollar Amounts: $250,000 fine

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt/pr/belgrade-woman-pleads-guilty-harboring-illegal-individuals