Two individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a Laredo human smuggling conspiracy, following an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Laredo Police Department, and the U.S. Border Patrol, who conducted the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation.
Carlos Alberto Gonzalez, 23, from Laredo, and his sister Erika Yazbett Mendoza-Gonzalez, 36, a Mexican citizen illegally residing in Laredo, were sentenced Nov. 6 by U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo. Judge Marmolejo sentenced Gonzale to 46 months, while Mendoza-Gonzalez received 57 months. Both must also serve three years of supervised release following their sentence, although Mendoza-Gonzalez, not a U.S. citizen, is expected to face removal proceedings following her imprisonment. At the hearing, the court also noted Gonzalez had previously been sentenced for human smuggling and was still serving his term of supervised release when he committed this offense. The court also ordered Gonzalez to serve a consecutive 10 months for this violation. In handing down the prison terms, Judge Garcia Marmolejo commented that Gonzalez learned nothing from his last offense and that Mendoza-Gonzalez was highly involved in the smuggling organization. The court also considered the conditions inside the stash house, noting that the siblings regarded the people they harbored as “commodities” and stating, “We just don’t treat human beings like this.” Both pleaded guilty on July 8.
“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. HSI remains steadfast in its commitment to bringing to justice those who exploit and endanger vulnerable individuals. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to dismantle these networks and ensure the well-being of those affected by their illicit activities.”
“No electricity, no running water and no toilet. Human smugglers do not care,” said Hamdani. “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.”
According to court documents, on March 7, law enforcement observed Mendoza-Gonzalez pick up three suspected undocumented individuals near the intersection of Kearney Street and McDonnell Avenue in Laredo. Gonzalez was driving another vehicle that appeared to be traveling together with Mendoza-Gonzalez. Law enforcement followed both vehicles to a home on the 2300 block of San Leonardo Avenue, where Mendoza-Gonzalez dropped off the individuals before leaving with two others. Several hours later, they observed a large group of people exiting the backyard of this address and running into a nearby creek. A foot pursuit began, and law enforcement apprehended 20 individuals, all of whom are undocumented aliens from other countries. Two were unaccompanied minors, ages 13 and 15.
Upon entering the San Leonardo residence, authorities discovered deplorable living conditions. The home had no electricity or running water, and large amounts of trash piled up throughout the home. They also observed large tubs of water in the home where the migrants would bathe and relieve themselves. There have been no utilities in the residence since 2022. Gonzalez was the stash house operator, while Mendoza-Gonzalez was a transporter and delivered food to those harbored inside the home.
On April 23, authorities conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle Mendoza-Gonzalez was driving and found a female back seat passenger covered in mud, with a strong body odor, torn pants, and scratch marks all over her arms. She was a Mexican national with no legal status in the United States.
Mendoza-Gonzalez admitted to her involvement with the human smuggling organization and stated she expected to receive $50 per migrant she transported.
Phone communications between Mendoza-Gonzalez and co-conspirators revealed that over only a seven-week period, she was also involved in coordinating the transportation and/or harboring of at least 55 additional individuals.
Mendoza-Gonzalez and Gonzalez remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
This sentencing is also the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA).
Assistant U.S. Attorney and JTFA detailee from the Southern District of Texas Jennifer Day prosecuted this case.
The original announcement can be found here.
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