DEL RIO, Texas – A San Antonio woman has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for fraudulently smuggling migrants into the United States.
In a gritty case of identity theft and deceit, Kimberly Cruz, 35, posed as a legal advocate from April to October 2019. She duped multiple migrants and their families, collecting over $275,911 in fraudulent fees for her ‘services’.
Court documents reveal that Cruz used the personal information provided by the migrants, such as birth certificates and passports, to deceive U.S. Customs and Immigration Services officers at the Eagle Pass Point of Entry. She claimed the migrants needed humanitarian paroles, allowing them temporary entry into the country for immigration appointments.
After facilitating their illegal entry, Cruz transported the migrants to San Antonio, where she dropped them off with family or at airports and bus stations. On October 29, 2019, Cruz was apprehended, and on October 25, 2021, she pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
In addition to her lengthy prison term, Chief Judge Alia Moses ordered Cruz to pay $9,900 in restitution and forfeit over $271,000. U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas emphasized the gravity of Cruz’s actions, stating, “This defendant falsely represented herself to take advantage of our country’s immigration procedures while putting at risk more than 95 migrants.”
Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio echoed this sentiment: “HSI is committed to bringing justice to human smugglers that prey on the vulnerable with no regard for their well-being.” The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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