Federal judge sentences Houston-based human smuggling leader to 108 months in prison for coordinating illegal immigrant transportation
Houston, Texas – A Honduran national residing illegally in Houston has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to leading a human smuggling operation that transported over 200 individuals into the United States. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, following a detailed investigation by federal law enforcement.
Court Orders Lengthy Sentence and Financial Penalty
Marvin Reyes, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Morales to 108 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. During the sentencing hearing, the court emphasized the severity of Reyes’ actions, noting that the lives of over 200 individuals were endangered by the smuggling operation he led. The judge also imposed a $1 million money judgment, reflecting the financial gains Reyes made through his criminal activities.
“Thanks to the teamwork of our office’s Corpus Christi prosecutors and their law enforcement partners, the leader of an alien smuggling ring has been put out of action,” said Ganjei. “Successful interdiction of illegal alien smuggling at the border or at interior checkpoints benefits the nation as a whole. The Southern District of Texas is proud to do its part to support a secure border.”
Multi-Year Investigation Uncovers Large-Scale Operation
Reyes’ criminal enterprise first came to the attention of law enforcement in July 2021 when investigators discovered a Houston-based human smuggling organization attempting to move illegal aliens further into the United States. The investigation revealed that Reyes played a key leadership role in coordinating the transportation of migrants through multiple Border Patrol checkpoints, including those near Sarita and Falfurrias.
Reyes also arranged private flights from Weslaco to Houston for illegal aliens, providing another method of evading detection by border authorities. His operations were not limited to ground transportation, demonstrating the sophisticated nature of the smuggling ring he controlled.
Law Enforcement Seizes Smuggling Profits
Investigators uncovered bank records showing that Reyes received at least $1 million in profits from human smuggling activities. His financial gains reflected the scale of his operation, which spanned multiple years and involved significant logistical planning.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Overman and Tyler Foster prosecuted the case. Reyes will remain in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, where he will serve his sentence.
This conviction marks a major victory in the fight against illegal human smuggling networks operating in Texas and beyond. Authorities continue to dismantle these operations, ensuring those responsible face the full consequences of their crimes.
