Angel Ramon Lopez-Hernandez, a 36-year-old Mexican citizen, has admitted guilt in a case involving the illegal transportation of undocumented aliens within the United States. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. Lopez-Hernandez could face up to five years in federal prison, although his sentencing date remains undecided.
The plea agreement details that on December 11, 2024, Florida Highway Patrol stopped a Ford Explorer on Interstate 75 in Columbia County with Lopez-Hernandez at the wheel and four passengers inside. Due to language barriers and suspicions regarding their legal status, U.S. Border Patrol agents were called to assist. Upon questioning, Lopez-Hernandez and two passengers revealed they were Mexican citizens illegally present in the country.
An examination of the vehicle's odometer indicated significant usage since its purchase by Lopez-Hernandez on September 22, 2022—over 9,000 miles driven monthly from an initial reading of 158,016 miles to 401,996 miles at the time of the stop.
Lopez-Hernandez later confessed he was compensated for transporting these individuals and had previously engaged in similar activities between North Carolina and Florida. The passengers acknowledged entering the U.S. illegally and paying for transport services from Mexico to Florida for employment opportunities.
This investigation was conducted by both the U.S. Border Patrol and Florida Highway Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Arnold B. Corsmeier.