A South Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for smuggling illegal aliens into the United States on two separate occasions. Joe Adam Escobedo, 31, pleaded guilty on September 26, 2024, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Morales to serve 57 months in each case concurrently. Additionally, he received an extra 12 months to run consecutively, totaling 69 months in federal prison. This will be followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei stated that "The Southern District of Texas will vigorously pursue alien smuggling cases, given the risk they pose both to the persons smuggled as well as the public at large." He highlighted the dangers associated with tractor-trailer smuggling due to confined spaces and unpredictable weather conditions.
On April 12, 2024, Escobedo approached the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint driving a tractor-trailer claiming he was transporting pineapples to Michigan. After a K-9 alerted authorities during inspection, seven illegal aliens from El Salvador and Mexico were found hidden in the sleeper area of the tractor.
Following his release on bond after being charged with alien smuggling, Escobedo returned to the same checkpoint on June 11, 2024. During this second attempt, law enforcement noticed signs of nervousness and referred him for secondary inspection again. This time agents discovered a total of 42 people from Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico illegally present in the United States.
Escobedo remains in custody awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection with Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasmine K. Tucker prosecuting the case.