St. Louis, MO – In a shocking case of human trafficking, Rene Flores-Calderon, a 35-year-old Mexican national, pleaded guilty to eight counts of transportation of undocumented aliens who had come to, entered and remained in the United States in violation of law and to his illegal reentry into the United States after being previously deported.
The guilty plea was made in federal court before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey, who accepted his plea and set sentencing for May 15, 2019.
According to court documents, on August 2, 2018, a Missouri State Highway Patrolman stopped a maroon Chevrolet Suburban eastbound on Interstate 44, just east of the Franklin County line, in St. Louis County, Missouri. Flores-Calderon was inside the vehicle, along with 10 undocumented adult aliens from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, and three undocumented unaccompanied minor children.
Flores-Calderon fled the scene on foot but was apprehended the next day. In a subsequent interview, he admitted in court that he knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that the passengers were undocumented aliens in the United States in violation of the law and that he transported the passengers within the United States with the intent to further the alien’s unlawful presence.
Further investigation revealed that the passengers had crossed into the United States illegally and had paid smugglers to get them into the country and to their destination. They also stated that they had paid Flores-Calderon to transport them to various cities in the United States.
Flores-Calderon had previously been deported from the United States following convictions for illegal entry and reentry into the United States at least six times.
He faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $250,000, or both per count. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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