Salvadoran national sentenced in Texas for role in human smuggling operation that led to migrant deaths
Del Rio, Texas – A Salvadoran national has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for his part in a deadly human smuggling incident that took place in 2021. The sentencing occurred in federal court in Del Rio, Texas, where Juan Alonso Barrientos-Quintanilla, 23, was held accountable for his involvement in a case that led to the tragic deaths of eight people.
Tragic Crash and Arrest on Highway 277
According to court documents, the events unfolded on March 15, 2021, along Highway 277. Barrientos-Quintanilla was initially one of 12 illegal aliens who fled from a second vehicle after U.S. Border Patrol agents attempted to stop the smuggling operation. The first vehicle, driven by Sebastian Tovar, crashed during the attempt to evade law enforcement, resulting in the deaths of eight out of nine passengers inside.
As agents approached the second vehicle, the group fled on foot, but all were quickly apprehended. Barrientos-Quintanilla at first claimed to be a smuggled migrant, but later confessed that he was actually the load driver of the second vehicle.
He pleaded guilty on July 23, 2023, to aiding and abetting illegal alien transportation resulting in death.
Federal Task Forces and Prosecution
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Banister.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas announced the sentence.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative focused on dismantling human smuggling networks, eliminating transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from related violent crimes. The initiative combines resources from OCDETF and Project Safe Neighborhoods to fight illegal immigration and associated criminal activities.
