Lucio Magana Aguilar, Human Smuggling, Texas 2024

Man Pleads Guilty to Human Smuggling After Deadly Smuggling Attempt

In a shocking turn of events, a 34-year-old undocumented immigrant residing in Austin has entered a guilty plea to conspiring to transport other non-citizens. Lucio Magana Aguilar, a resident of Austin, Texas, admitted to picking up a group of nine people on February 15, 2024, with plans to transport them north.

According to the investigation, the group had been traveling through the brush in an attempt to avoid the Javier Vega Jr. checkpoint near Sarita. During their journey, they had separated from their guide and faced extreme weather conditions. They made it back to the roadway where Aguilar arrived in his truck to transport them farther north.

However, by that time, one of the individuals was in extreme distress and another had already succumbed to the conditions. Five of the aliens, including the deceased one, were loaded into the backseat, while the other four were loaded into the rear cargo area of the truck.

The authorities later conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, at which time they discovered the deceased alien dead at the scene. Aguilar expected to be paid $1,000 in return for smuggling the group.

Lucio Magana Aguilar now faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He will be sentenced on July 29, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton. Aguilar has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Pena prosecuted the case.

Lucio Magana Aguilar’s actions are a stark reminder of the dangers of human smuggling and the consequences of breaking the law. We hope that this guilty plea will bring closure to the family of the deceased and serve as a warning to others who would engage in similar activities.

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Lucio Magana Aguilar

Criminal Charges: Conspiring to transport other non-citizens

City and State: Corpus Christi, Texas

Exact Date: February 15, 2024 (crime date), July 29, 2024 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: Up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine

Dollar Amounts: $1,000 (expected payment for smuggling the group)

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