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Smuggling Ring Recruit Sentenced to 5 Years
LAREDO, Texas – A major player in a human smuggling ring has been brought to justice, as Maria Rivera-Maldonado begins her 60-month prison sentence for her role in transporting undocumented non-citizens.
According to court documents, Rivera-Maldonado, a 58-year-old Chandler woman, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens on September 18, 2020.
A joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol uncovered a vast smuggling operation that spanned over a year, from March 2019 to July 2020. During this time, Rivera-Maldonado recruited truck drivers to carry over 100 undocumented non-citizens across the border.
On July 3, 2020, authorities discovered 52 undocumented non-citizens after stopping a tractor trailer in Laredo. Rivera-Maldonado was arrested as the driver of a scout vehicle for the tractor trailer, and her involvement in the scheme was soon revealed.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo handed down the sentence on [current date], noting that Rivera-Maldonado played an active role in recruiting truck drivers to help carry out the scheme. She was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after her prison sentence.
Rivera-Maldonado will remain in custody until she is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Garrie Brown prosecuted the case, bringing justice to the victims of this heinous crime.
The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of human smuggling in our communities. As the investigation continues, it’s clear that this operation was just one piece of a larger puzzle. We will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle these networks and bring those responsible to justice.
This case is a testament to the dedicated work of law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Border Patrol, who worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind this smuggling operation.
Rivera-Maldonado’s sentencing sends a clear message: human smuggling will not be tolerated in our communities. We will continue to work towards a safer, more just society for all.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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