LAREDO, Texas - A federal grand jury has returned an indictment for transporting and/or smuggling a large group of noncitizens via tractor trailer, following an investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in coordination with the FBI, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) the U.S. Border Patrol who conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.
Juan Manuel Aguirre, 49, from Laredo, is charged in a three-count indictment with conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States and the transportation of a noncitizen within the United States for financial gain. He is expected to appear for his arraignment before a U.S. magistrate judge in the near future.
According to court documents, on Dec. 2, law enforcement observed individuals being loading into a white trailer in a warehouse parking lot. After the white truck that was hauling the trailer departed the location, authorities conducted a traffic stop, according to the charges. A search allegedly resulted in the discovery of 101 non-U.S. citizens locked inside the trailer, including 12 unaccompanied children. The charges further allege two reported they had difficulty breathing and feared for their life due to the conditions in the trailer.
If convicted, Aguirre faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the three counts and fines of up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney from the Southern District of Texas Brandon Scott Bowling is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.