⏱ 2 min read
A 53-year-old San Juan resident, Mario Trevino, has been caught and sentenced for his role in a brazen smuggling operation. On October 28, 2025, Trevino drove a tractor trailer to a Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita, claiming the trailer was empty. But law enforcement soon discovered six illegal aliens hiding in the sleeper area.
Some were hidden underneath a blanket, while others hid in a cabinet. The migrants reported they had entered the US illegally and were transported through multiple locations in the Rio Grande Valley before being directed into Trevino’s tractor-trailer.
Trevino instructed the migrants to remain hidden and not move, but his scheme was soon uncovered. He has a prior conviction for smuggling aliens and a history of evading law enforcement.
On December 29, 2025, Trevino pleaded guilty to his crimes and was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison. He’ll also serve three years of supervised release. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative to combat human trafficking and cartel activity.
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📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Human Trafficking
- Defendant: Texas
- Location: TX
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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