A Mexican national, aged 33, has been indicted for smuggling 19 individuals into the United States and for illegal reentry following removal. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei in Brownsville, Texas.
The accused, Orlando Daniel Hernandez-Cepeda, is currently in custody. His arraignment is scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ignacio Torteya III on April 10 at 8:45 a.m.
According to a criminal complaint filed in the case, on March 10, authorities observed a white cargo van near the Rio Grande River, where approximately 20 people were seen getting into the vehicle. The complaint alleges that after the van departed, law enforcement initiated a traffic stop, resulting in the alleged discovery of 19 individuals in the van who lacked legal status to enter or remain in the United States.
The indictment, dated March 27, claims that Hernandez-Cepeda was identified as a Mexican citizen without lawful status in the U.S., having been previously removed. He faces charges of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, which could lead to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted. Additionally, each count of transporting illegal aliens could bring a five-year sentence, and illegal reentry could add two more years. All charges carry a potential fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation was carried out by Border Patrol, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis Salazar is handling the prosecution.
It is important to note that an indictment is only a formal accusation, not proof of guilt, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.