Laredo Man Gets 119 Months for Smuggling 35 People in Hot Trailer
A 52-year-old Laredo resident has been ordered to federal prison for smuggling aliens, some of whom had lost consciousness, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Contreras pleaded guilty on February 3, 2020. Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo ordered Contreras to serve a total of 119 months in prison. The sentence consists of a 110-month term for smuggling aliens followed by a consecutive nine-month term for violating the terms of his supervised release.
According to the investigation, Contreras had been on supervised release for a prior conviction of transporting an undocumented alien when he committed this crime. The court revoked the remainder of that term and ordered him to serve an additional consecutive nine months.
The investigation revealed that Contreras was found with an inoperable tractor-trailer on the side of Interstate Highway 35 near Laredo on June 19, 2019. The trailer was sealed shut, but authorities saw a person stuck between the trailer doors attempting to escape. They soon rescued a total of 35 undocumented aliens who were trapped inside the trailer.
The aliens had been banging on the walls while the vehicle was on the side of the highway. They also tried to reach through holes they made with a crowbar. Multiple individuals even lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen and high temperatures.
HSI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Scott Bowling prosecuted the case. Contreras will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
“The sentencing of Contreras sends a clear message that individuals who engage in criminal activity with disregard for human life will be located, arrested, convicted and sentenced for their actions,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Timothy Tubbs from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Criminals who illegally smuggle people into and throughout the United States place personal profit ahead of public safety. HSI will continue to utilize its broad authorities to dismantle human smuggling organizations.”
Related Federal Cases
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- Juan Francisco Saenz-Tamez, Texas Drug Trafficking, Beaumont TX, 2023 · Alabama
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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