A recent announcement from the U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei revealed that a total of 257 cases linked to immigration and border security were filed between March 21 and March 27. Of these cases, 98 individuals are facing charges for allegedly re-entering the United States illegally, with most having prior felony convictions for crimes including narcotics offenses and violent acts.
Additional charges were laid against 132 for illegal entry, 23 for human smuggling, and the remaining cases involved firearms and other immigration-related matters.
Among the charges, two individuals face accusations of involvement in a human smuggling incident that culminated in a pursuit and crash. Jose Manuel Zamarripa-Torres and Daniel Flores-Hernandez allegedly picked up four individuals who had crossed the Rio Grande and attempted to evade authorities, resulting in a crash. Convictions could result in up to a decade in federal prison.
In another significant case, a 20-year-old Mexican national associated with Cartel Del Noreste was sentenced in Laredo for the illegal possession of ammunition intended for smuggling into Mexico. The court emphasized the severity of the crime, noting it provided weapons to a criminal organization, leading to a 63-month sentence.
Furthermore, Cuban national Jorge Grimon Maturell was convicted for transporting seven illegal aliens in a concealed area of his vehicle. Found guilty by a jury, Maturell was subsequently taken into custody.
Notably, Jaquon Davis, an established alien smuggler, and his associates were charged following an operation where they attempted to smuggle 12 individuals in multiple vehicles. Davis received a 44-month sentence for orchestrating the operation.
These proceedings were supported by federal partners such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol, the FBI, and the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and criminal organizations, catalyzed these efforts.
Under the current leadership, border security and public safety remain top priorities for the Southern District of Texas, encompassing 43 counties and collaborating with state and local law enforcement.
The Southern District of Texas remains one of the most active regions in dealing with such cases. It is emphasized that an indictment or criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.