A Mexican man residing illegally in Roma, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison for human smuggling. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Allan Eduardo Mar-Uballe, 32, pleaded guilty on December 12, 2024, to the charges.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has sentenced Mar-Uballe to 37 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. As Mar-Uballe is not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings after his sentence. His previous convictions include illegal reentry into the United States, assault on a federal officer, and possession of a controlled substance.
“Mr. Mar-Uballe’s prior convictions obviously did not dissuade him from engaging in dangerous criminal activity,” said Ganjei. “His actions put the lives of law enforcement, innocent motorists, and every person in his vehicle at risk that day. Hopefully his new stay in federal prison will give him time to learn the lessons his earlier convictions didn’t teach him.”
The incident occurred on October 22, 2024, when Mar-Uballe was found driving a Ford Expedition with removed back seats and seatbelts near Roma. The vehicle contained 18 illegal aliens, including two unaccompanied minors. Authorities attempted to stop the vehicle, but Mar-Uballe evaded arrest by driving at a high speed and disregarding traffic rules, eventually crashing into a ditch. Several passengers were injured.
All individuals in the vehicle were determined to be illegally in the United States, hailing from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic.
Mar-Uballe will remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility. The investigation was led by Border Patrol and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda McColgan.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aiming to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.