A man from Roma, Texas, has been sentenced for his role in a human smuggling operation that resulted in multiple deaths. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentencing of 28-year-old Jose Refugio Torres, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport illegal aliens from the Rio Grande Valley to various destinations within the United States.
U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera sentenced Torres to 36 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. The court highlighted the gravity of human smuggling cases involving fatalities and warned Torres that returning to such activities could lead to a life sentence in federal prison.
"As this case sadly demonstrates, human smuggling is a crime that takes lives and puts the public at risk," said Ganjei. "Securing the border is the Southern District of Texas’ number one priority, and breaking up these smuggling rings is a key component of that."
Craig Larrabee, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Antonio, emphasized HSI's commitment to collaborating with law enforcement partners across communities in the United States. "We will remain focused on investigating and dismantling transnational criminal organizations that jeopardize the well-being of individuals," he stated.
The incident occurred in March 2019 when Torres attempted to smuggle illegal aliens by vehicle from the Rio Grande Valley. A vehicle rollover accident in Duval County resulted in four deaths and serious injuries to six others. The victims included citizens from Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, and a 17-year-old boy from Ecuador.
Torres was allowed to remain on bond until he surrenders voluntarily to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility yet to be determined.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with support from Border Patrol; Coast Guard; Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations; police departments in Port Mansfield and South Padre Island; Texas Rangers; Texas Game Wardens; sheriff’s offices in Kenedy, Duval and Willacy Counties; and the Willacy County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jose E. Arreola Jr. and Jose Esquivel Jr. prosecuted the case.