Francisco Chao-Martinez, Alien Smuggling Conspiracy, Texas 2023

Alien Smuggling Ring Busted in Houston

HOUSTON - In a shocking revelation, Francisco Chao-Martinez, 31, and five others have been ordered to prison for their roles in a conspiracy to transport or harbor aliens illegally present in the country, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Chao-Martinez, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport aliens, along with Juan Carlos Solis-Sanchez, 31, of Mexico, Daniel Sanchez-Cabarello, 31, of El Salvador, and Edgar Carranza-Espinal, 36, and Carlos Benegas-Benetiz, 36, both of Honduras. A sixth defendant, Fredis Sanchez-Martinez, 22, of Honduras, was convicted of conspiracy to harbor aliens illegally present in the United States.

Chao-Martinez, the leader of the two-year conspiracy, was sentenced to 57 months in prison. The court found that he was the organizer and leader of the operation, which involved a conservative estimate of 500 undocumented aliens.

Other defendants received the following sentences: Solis-Sanchez, 27 months in prison; Sanchez-Cabarello, 18 months in prison; Benegas-Benetiz, 4 months in prison; Sanchez-Martinez, 12 months and one day in prison. Carranza-Espinal will be sentenced today at 3:00 p.m.

As aliens, all defendants are expected to face deportation proceedings following their release from prison.

The investigation began in January 2013, after federal agents received information that Chao-Martinez was involved in organizing temporary housing for aliens smuggled to Houston. He then coordinated their transportation by means of motor vehicle to different locations throughout the United States.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Casey N. MacDonald, and the investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/leader-and-others-ordered-federal-prison-alien-smuggling-conspiracy