42-year-old Jason Al Venecia, a resident of Rio Grande City, Texas, has been handed down a 24-month federal prison sentence followed by two years of supervised release for his role in the unlawful transportation of an illegal alien. This verdict comes after Venecia pleaded guilty on March 26, 2023.
The hearing revealed that Venecia used his girlfriend and her minor daughter to assist in smuggling the illegal alien through a checkpoint. Authorities intercepted the trio at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint on January 2, where they noticed two adult males in the front seat and an adult and minor female in the backseat.
During the initial inspection, one of the front-seat males confessed to being an unauthorized immigrant from Mexico. Law enforcement discovered multiple proof-of-life videos from illegal aliens on Venecia’s cell phone, along with text messages indicating a $1,250 payment for delivering the aliens to their next destination.
While on bond awaiting sentencing, Venecia was apprehended assisting his girlfriend in another smuggling attempt. His bond was revoked, and he was ordered into custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. His girlfriend has since pleaded guilty to her own charges.
This case was investigated by Customs and Border Protection and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Pruitt. It is part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative targeting illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentence, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to repel illegal immigration and protect communities from violent crime.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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