Mario Sandoval, Alien Smuggling, Texas 2024

A 27-year-old Houston resident, Mario Sandoval, has been found guilty of conspiring to smuggle illegal aliens into the country, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before convicting Sandoval following a one-day trial.

Sandoval was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lonestar. Following release from his orders, Sandoval remained in the Rio Grande Valley and began smuggling aliens in July 2024.

The jury saw Sandoval’s text messages discussing that drivers were needed for trips from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of the immigration checkpoint. Surveillance would later show him at the immigration checkpoint at the same time he was sending text messages about the presence of law enforcement and K-9 patrols.

The defense attempted to convince the jury no conspiracy existed, and his text messages were out of context. However, they did not believe those claims and found Sandoval guilty as charged.

“The conduct in this case represents an unthinkable violation of public trust,” said Ganjei. “Thousands of brave men and women, military and civilian alike, work tirelessly to keep our border secure. It is truly disheartening that one bad apple chose to betray his fellow soldiers, his fellow citizens, and his country by engaging in human smuggling. I wish to thank the jury for their time and attention to this matter.”

Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for October 22, at which time Sandoval faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the government to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/former-texas-national-guard-soldier-convicted-alien-smuggling