Another individual has been sentenced for his role in a Laredo human smuggling conspiracy.
Jesus Aleman-Serrano, 34, a Mexican citizen illegally residing in Laredo and Laredo, pleaded guilty on May 8.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña has now imposed a 24-month term of imprisonment for Aleman-Serrano. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings after imprisonment. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Saldaña noted the intricacy and level of sophistication involved and the danger the migrants faced.
Two others – Laredo residents Edison Alfredo Escalante, 23, and Clarissa Villarreal, 29, previously received sentences of 18 months in prison and time served, respectively. All were also ordered to serve a three-year term of supervised release.
“Moving 11 individuals in dangerously cramped conditions inside a vehicle not only reflects the callousness of these operations but underscores the serious risk to life—where even a minor accident could have led to a tragic outcome,” said Hamdani. “Our efforts, including uncovering two stash houses used by the smuggling organization, send a clear message: we will continue to disrupt and dismantle these dangerous networks to protect lives and uphold the law.”
On February 26, law enforcement observed a work truck displaying Union Pacific decals attempting to bypass the Interstate Highway 35 checkpoint north of Laredo.
Authorities later determined that this vehicle was not registered with Union Pacific instead, the human smuggling organization used decals to make it appear legitimate.
Law enforcement stopped the truck and identified Escalante as the driver. Upon further inspection, authorities found eight undocumented individuals concealed under a makeshift compartment in the bed of the truck.
Authorities found the compartment hidden beneath a metal grate with plywood and a 102-pound generator resting on top.
Law enforcement used a crowbar to free three additional females from another small, locked, hidden compartment within the vehicle. In total, authorities found 11 undocumented individuals from Mexico and Honduras trapped inside the truck.
Escalante initially told law enforcement he worked for Union Pacific and claimed that people in Mexico forced him to commit the crime.
However, evidence from Escalante’s cell phone revealed his connections to Cartel del Noreste and showed his participation in planning the smuggling event and purchasing the Union Pacific decals.
Later, Escalante admitted to smuggling another group of 10 migrants to San Antonio for the same organization.
Further investigation revealed the location where the undocumented individuals were harboured prior to Escalante transporting them. Authorities obtained a search warrant for a home on the 3600 block of Cancun Loop in Laredo and began surveillance later that day.
Law enforcement observed Aleman Serrano transport two individuals from the Cancun Street address to another apartment on Ligarde Street in a Ford Expedition. They approached the apartment and contacted the owner, who authorities identified as Villarreal.
Villarreal admitted Aleman Serrano hired her to “take care” of the people and that she knew they were undocumented.
Law enforcement later executed the search warrant at the Cancun Street address, where Aleman Serrano was identified as one of the owners. The evidence revealed this address was used as a stash house to harbour undocumented individuals.
Authorities recovered handwritten ledgers documenting the dates the migrants arrived, the number of days they stayed and how much was being charged.
Both Escalante and Aleman Serrano will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
