A total of 229 cases have been filed in border security-related matters from April 4-10, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
As part of those cases, 80 face allegations of illegally reentering the country with the majority having felony convictions such as narcotics, firearms or sexual offenses, or prior immigration crimes. A total of 126 people face charges of illegally entering the country, 18 cases involve various instances of human smuggling with others relating to firearms, false statements and other immigration matters.
Victor D. Perozo-Zarraga, a Mexican visa holder, was charged with fraud and misuse of a visa after authorities found him in possession of fraudulent legal permanent resident and Social Security documents. He indicated he had legal status to be in the United States, which he does not, according to the complaint.
In another case, Christian Christopher Rodriguez-Lopez was charged with attempting to bring child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and drugs across the border. Rodriguez-Lopez, a Mexican visa holder, was ordered to serve 151 months after attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. Upon inspection, law enforcement located approximately five kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle. Further investigation following his arrest resulted in the additional discovery of CSAM on his cell phone. His visa has since been revoked.
“Mr. Rodriguez-Lopez is a perfect example of why our more aggressive approach to border security is so critical,” said Ganjei. “Neither these drugs, nor this defendant, have any place in our communities. Due to the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, this cocaine will never make it to the streets and this offender will spend the next decade in federal prison.”
In a separate case, Joaquin Hernandez-Reyes, a 29-year-old Mexican national with a felony criminal history, was sentenced to 72 months for illegally entering the country without authorization. Hernandez-Reyes has felony convictions for illegal reentry as well as assault of a public servant and possession of a controlled substance. He was first removed from the United States in 2016 and returned illegally several more times.
Additionally, Allan Eduardo Mar-Uballe, a Mexican national who illegally resided in Roma, was ordered to federal prison for 37 months for human smuggling. Mar-Uballe was driving a Ford Expedition with the back seats and seatbelts removed. Inside the vehicle were 18 illegal aliens, including two unaccompanied minors. Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle, but he evaded at a high rate of speed and drove erratically, disregarding stop signs and other vehicles, before crashing into a ditch. Several inside the vehicle sustained injuries.
Another human smuggler, Felipe Montez, was sentenced to 46 months. On December 23, 2024, Montez attempted to transport seven illegal aliens. He was driving a vehicle waiting by the Rio Grande River near Escobares as the individuals ran from the river towards him. Upon the sight of law enforcement, they all attempted to flee, but authorities apprehended them. Further investigation revealed Montez was involved in four previous alien smuggling events which involved attempts to evade law enforcement. His crimes have involved a total of 41 illegal aliens.
In a case out of the Corpus Christi office, the court found Hosmel Vences responsible for organizing the smuggling of at least 75 illegal aliens between August 16 – December 17, 2023, and ordered him to serve 48 months. The investigation revealed Vences recruited many different drivers from all over South Texas to drive to Brownsville and Raymondville for the purpose of transporting illegal aliens further into the United States.
Related Federal Cases
- Jason Jarin, Medicaid Fraud and Illicit Transition Procedures, Texas 2023 · Oklahoma
- Victor Earl Garrett, Bank Fraud Conspiracy, OK, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Shannon Tecoko Mays, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Texas, 2012 · Oklahoma
- Christopher Ferguson, Securities Fraud, New York 2020 · Texas
- James Pavlounis, Social Security Administration Fraud and Tax Evasion, California 2023 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Immigration Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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