HSI Del Rio, Federal Partner Investigation Results in 40-Year Sentence for Key Leader in Texas Human Smuggling Organization

DEL RIO, Texas — A Mexican citizen was sentenced for illegal noncitizen transportation resulting in death following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety, including the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

Nicolas Mondragon-Gonzalez, 36, aka Chayo and Flaco, of Luvianos, Mexico, was sentenced Aug. 21 to 480 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. Mondragon-Gonzalez was arrested Sept. 28, 2021. He pleaded guilty to four counts January 10, 2022: one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, one count of illegal noncitizen transportation resulting in death, and two counts of transportation of noncitizens.

“This defendant will spend the next 40 years in federal prison for his actions,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Human smuggling is dangerous, but as this case demonstrates, it’s also deadly. HSI will not stop investigating and bringing smugglers to face justice. There can be no safe haven for smugglers who evade our nations laws, endangering our communities and causing deaths.”

“The result in this case is a testament to this office's commitment to seek justice for our community members,” said U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza. “It reflects the hard work and interagency cooperation of our federal and state law enforcement partners, whose efforts brought this case to a successful conclusion.”

According to court documents, Mondragon-Gonzalez was the leader and orchestrator of a human smuggling organization. Mondragon-Gonzalez had hired Sebastian Tovar, a driver who was sentenced in August 2023 to 420 months in prison for his role in the operation. Tovar had been transporting nine noncitizens when he led a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper on a pursuit and collided with another vehicle in the oncoming traffic lane. Eight of the nine passengers in Tovar’s vehicle were killed, while the two occupants of the other vehicle were seriously injured. Following the crash, U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered a second smuggling vehicle carrying undocumented noncitizens. The driver stopped and the occupants fled on foot. U.S. Border Patrol agents were able to locate them.

Codefendant Ruben Junior Rodriguez-Jaimes, a foot guide, was sentenced in August 2023 to 180 months in prison. Rogelio Manuel Luna was sentenced in June 2024 to 108 months in prison with credit for time served. Jennifer Oralia Davis aka Paypa was sentenced in September 2023 to 151 months in prison with credit for time served.

Four additional defendants pleaded guilty in 2023 to one count of illegal noncitizen transportation resulting in death: Lauren Michelle Malmquist aka Mama and Lala, Veronica Torres-Mendez and Eduardo Rivera Benitez aka Lalo and Casper, each face a maximum penalty of life in prison. Jose Eli Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Another individual indicted in the case, Marco Antonio Hernandez aka Temo was arrested June 27 in Houston. Hernandez had previously been sentenced on Oct. 11, 2023, to 24 months in prison with credit for time served.

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.

HSI San Antonio continues to address the serious public safety threat posed by human smuggling organizations and their reckless disregard for the health and safety of the people they exploit. To report suspicious smuggling activity, you are urged to call the HSI Tip Line at 877-4-HSI-TIP. Callers may remain anonymous.