Texas Siblings Arrested for Role in Migrant Smuggling, Home Had “Deplorable Conditions”
Two siblings are sentenced for their role in a human smuggling ring along the U.S.-Mexico border.
23-year-old Carlos Alberto Gonzalez from Laredo, Texas, was sentenced to 46 months in prison. The offense was committed while Gonzalez was serving supervised release for a previous human smuggling charge. Meanwhile his sister, 36-year-old Erika Yazbett Mendoza-Gonzalez, a Mexican citizen illegally living in Laredo, was sentenced to 57 months behind bars. Mendoza-Gonzalez is expected to face removal proceedings after her release.
Both pleaded guilty in July, following an investigation under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, and local enforcement.
“This case starkly illustrates the reckless and dangerous actions these two siblings took as human smugglers, driven solely by personal profit,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Their complete disregard for human life and safety is a disturbing reminder of the lengths to which these criminal organizations will go.”
“Deplorable Conditions”
According to court documents, law enforcement saw Mendoza-Gonzalez pick up three suspected undocumented individuals in Laredo on March 7, with her brother following behind in a second vehicle.
Law enforcement followed the group to a residence, where two of the individuals were dropped off. Several hours later, law enforcement saw a large group of people exit the backyard. Law enforcement engaged in a foot pursuit, which ended with the apprehension of 20 individuals, all of whom were undocumented migrants, including two unaccompanied minors.
Law enforcement then entered the home where they discovered “deplorable living conditions” including no electricity or running water, large amounts of trash, and tubs where migrants would bathe and relieve themselves.
“No electricity, no running water and no toilet. Human smugglers do not care,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani of the Southern District of Texas. “No individual should be subjected to such inhumane conditions. This case underscores our commitment to dismantling human smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable individuals, including children.”
In April, authorities stopped Mendoza-Gonzales on the road and found a female passenger, who was an undocumented migrant from Mexico, in the back set covered in mud. Mendoza-Gonzalez admitted to her involvement in the human smuggling ring, saying she expected to be paid $50 per migrant transported. Her brother was accused of running the stash house.
Both remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facility.
