A truck driver from San Benito, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of transporting illegal aliens in his tractor-trailer. 28-year-old Rene Garcia pleaded guilty to the charges on August 5, 2021.
On May 13, 2021, Garcia arrived at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint driving a semi-truck and trailer. A K-9 alerted to the vehicle, prompting authorities to refer him to secondary inspection. During the secondary inspection, authorities found 51 undocumented individuals in the trailer, hidden among pallets of onions.
One of the individuals reported that it was hard to breathe and there was no way to escape in the event of an emergency. Garcia later admitted to making arrangements with someone in San Benito to smuggle the aliens through the Falfurrias checkpoint and onto Houston.
U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton sentenced Garcia to a total of 41 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, Judge Tipton took into consideration the nature and facts of the case and noted Garcia’s recent conviction for transporting illegal aliens.
Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman prosecuted the case.
Rene Garcia is a 28-year-old San Benito resident who pleaded guilty to transporting illegal aliens in his tractor-trailer. He was sentenced to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release.
The exact date of the crime was May 13, 2021. The crime of transporting illegal aliens is a federal offense.
Garcia’s sentence includes 41 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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