A Roma resident has been sentenced for his role in smuggling illegal aliens, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Felipe Montez, 32, previously pleaded guilty to the charges in January.
Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Montez to 46 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year supervised release period. The court reviewed additional evidence during the hearing, noting Montez's four prior state arrests related to human smuggling in the months before his federal arrest in December 2024. Some of these incidents involved fleeing from law enforcement and resulted in injuries to illegal aliens in Montez's vehicle. The judge emphasized Montez's dangerous conduct while delivering the sentence.
"If you smuggle, assist, or attempt to bring people into this country illegally, you are going to serve federal time," said U.S. Attorney Ganjei. "The Department of Justice is going to be relentless in its pursuit of those that make their money violating our nation’s immigration laws."
On December 23, 2024, Montez attempted to transport seven illegal aliens. He was stationed in a vehicle by the Rio Grande River near Escobares as the individuals approached from the river. Upon detecting law enforcement, the group tried to escape, but officials apprehended them.
Further investigation revealed four previous smuggling incidents involving Montez, each associated with efforts to evade law enforcement. In total, Montez's smuggling attempts involved 41 illegal aliens, all occurring in the Roma area.
Montez remains in custody and is awaiting transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Roma Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan led the prosecution.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative organized by the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime. This operation is connected with the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood efforts.