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El Paso Man Pleads Guilty to Alien Smuggling and Money Laundering Conspiracies
An El Paso man who led a major human smuggling operation has pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiring to transport and harbor illegal aliens and to launder the proceeds of the smuggling scheme.
Jose Luis Avalos, 42, the leader of the organization and the final defendant to plead in the case, along with co-conspirators and his wife, Kristina Hardin, coordinated the illegal transportation and harboring of unauthorized immigrants throughout New Mexico. In return, Avalos and Hardin received numerous money transfers into their bank accounts as proceeds from the smuggling operation and paid others for expenses related to the conspiracy.
In addition, from August 10, 2021, through December 27, 2022, Avalos conspired with Hardin and others to launder the proceeds from the smuggling activities. They deposited illicit funds into multiple bank accounts and used the money for personal and mutual benefit, intentionally concealing the source and nature of these funds to avoid detection.
Avalos was indicted on May 18, 2023, along with eight co-conspirators, as part of a federal investigation into a large-scale migrant smuggling and money laundering operation. Subsequently, Hardin pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy to launder proceeds, while Avalos’ brother, David Avalos-Solis, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens.
Other defendants in the case include twin brothers Dario Rey Gamboa and Diego Rean Gamboa, along with Justin Walker, Cindy Escobar, and Adam Guerrero, who all pleaded guilty to participating in the conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens. Nancy Orellana-Recinos pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting eluding examination or inspection.
Avalos faces 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with Assistant United States Attorney Randy M. Castellano prosecuting the case as part of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA).
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Human Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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