Three men have been convicted for their roles in a Houston stash house operation where they transported and harbored illegal aliens in locked and boarded-up trailers. U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick announced the convictions.
Albino Vargas-Hernandez, 48, and Rene Camacho, 47, both Houston residents, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens. A third man, Hiram Lamarca-Gonzalez, 21, a Mexican national and Houston resident, entered his plea on December 4.
An investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations revealed that from July 9, 2018, through August 22, 2018, multiple suspected aliens arrived and departed trailers in Houston. The trailers were locked and had boards on the windows.
On several occasions, Vargas left his residence, picked up illegal aliens from the stash house and delivered them to others. Law enforcement obtained search warrants on the Vargas residence and the stash houses, finding Vargas and Camacho inside one of the trailers along with 12 undocumented aliens.
The investigation uncovered ledgers containing alien information and payment records, as well as multiple firearms, money service wire receipts, and approximately $224,000 in cash. Authorities arrested Lamarca for guarding the aliens at the stash house.
U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett accepted the pleas on February 13, 2020, setting sentencing for the same date. Each defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Camacho was permitted to remain on bond, while the others are in custody pending the sentencing hearing.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Bennett prosecuting the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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