Two members of the Tango Blast gang have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Juan Miguel Regalado, 28, and Samuel Grajeda Jr., 21, both pleaded guilty on November 12, 2024. U.S. District Judge John A. Kazen sentenced Regalado to 66 months in prison. Grajeda received a sentence of 30 months plus an additional six months for violating his supervised release related to a previous conviction for alien transportation. Both men will also serve three years of supervised release after completing their sentences.
The investigation began on April 20, 2024, when suspected illegal aliens were seen entering a green Tahoe in the Mines Road area with Regalado at the wheel. He led law enforcement on a high-speed chase reaching speeds up to 100 miles per hour before driving into the Rio Grande River and swimming across to Mexico.
Authorities continued monitoring the area and in November 2024 observed another group entering a white Ford Taurus near Father McNaboe Park. During this event, Grajeda and Regalado attempted to evade law enforcement again but were eventually apprehended after abandoning the vehicle containing four illegal aliens.
Both men admitted their involvement in the smuggling operation as part of their guilty pleas. "With these sentencings, two less gang members are out on the streets, and a human smuggling operation has been dismantled," said Ganjei. "Securing the border is the Southern District’s top priority, and we’re delivering."
Grajeda and Regalado remain in custody awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol-Anti-Smuggling Unit and Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Lopez prosecuted the case.