Galeas Patriarch, Human Smuggling, Texas 2022

A notorious human smuggling leader is heading to prison for 30 years after a federal court handed down the sentence on Wednesday. Roberto Galeas-Mejia, 48, of Honduras, was found guilty of leading a San Antonio-based human smuggling organization (HSO) that transported and harbored undocumented noncitizens.

According to court documents, Galeas-Mejia's HSO coordinated payments through bank accounts, using funds to pay load drivers and stash house operators, as well as rent stash houses and aid the organization. The money was also used for personal expenses, including vehicle purchases.

During the course of the investigation, Homeland Security Investigations thwarted multiple smuggling loads and arrested numerous co-conspirators and undocumented noncitizens. On July 27, 2022, a federal jury found Galeas-Mejia guilty of all three counts in a superseding indictment: conspiracy to transport illegal migrants, conspiracy to harbor illegal migrants, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.

Galeas-Mejia's wife, Eva Maria Galeas, and stepdaughter, Lisa Marie Ortega, both of San Antonio, were also found guilty as co-conspirators. His sisters, Sandra and Norma Galeas-Mejia, of Honduras, were co-conspirators but pleaded guilty earlier this year.

As part of the sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Alia Moses ordered the forfeiture of $603,593.00, which was discovered in a safe during a search of Galeas-Mejia's home. He was also ordered to pay a money judgement of $1,008,000. The case was investigated by HSI with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, Texas Department of Public Safety, and other law enforcement agencies.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Holly Pavlinski, Antonio Franco, and Rex Beasley prosecuted the case. Galeas-Mejia's sentence brings an end to a complex and far-reaching human smuggling operation. His imprisonment sends a strong message that those who engage in such activities will face severe consequences.

The sentencing comes after a lengthy investigation and prosecution. Galeas-Mejia's activities not only put the lives of undocumented migrants at risk but also undermined the rule of law and exploited vulnerable individuals.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/galeas-patriarch-hso-leader-sentenced-30-years-federal-prison-human-smuggling-and