National Guard Soldier Convicted of Alien Smuggling

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A shocking betrayal of public trust has led to the conviction of Mario Sandoval, a 27-year-old Houston resident, for conspiring to smuggle illegal aliens into the country. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the guilty verdict following a swift one-day trial.

Sandoval, who was deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lonestar, remained in the Rio Grande Valley and began his illicit activities in July 2024. The jury found overwhelming evidence against Sandoval, including text messages discussing the need for drivers to transport aliens from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of the immigration checkpoint.

Surveillance footage revealed Sandoval at the immigration checkpoint during the same time he was sending texts about the presence of law enforcement and K-9 patrols. Despite defense claims that the text messages were out of context, the jury stood firm in their conviction.

Ganjei expressed his disappointment, stating, “The conduct in this case represents an unthinkable violation of public trust. It is truly disheartening that one bad apple chose to betray his fellow soldiers and his country by engaging in human smuggling.”

Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024. Sentencing is set for October 22nd, where he 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, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Lamont and Ashley Martin prosecuting the case.

This conviction is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and protecting communities from violent crime. The operation leverages resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood programs.

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