Federal prosecutors in West Texas file 319 immigration and border security-related criminal cases in a single week

San Antonio, Texas – Federal prosecutors in Texas announced a sweeping weeklong immigration enforcement operation that resulted in 319 new criminal immigration and immigration-related cases across the Western District of Texas, including charges tied to human smuggling, illegal re-entry, violent criminal histories, and repeat deportations.

United States Attorney Justin R. Simmons said the cases were filed between May 15 and May 21 and involved individuals accused of crimes ranging from alien smuggling to kidnapping, robbery, assault, DUI offenses, and repeated unlawful entries into the United States.

The largest number of cases came from Del Rio, where authorities filed 173 new immigration-related prosecutions during the week. Another 110 cases were filed in El Paso.

Human Smuggling Cases Draw Major Attention

Among the cases highlighted by prosecutors was that of Martha Lopez of Socorro, Texas, who now faces alien smuggling charges.

According to a criminal complaint, Lopez allegedly arranged to pick up four illegal immigrants during the early morning hours of May 19 near Angus Drive and Carablanca Drive in El Paso County. Authorities said she allegedly attempted to flee at a high rate of speed when law enforcement vehicles arrived at the scene.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent eventually stopped the vehicle and Lopez was arrested.

Federal investigators later allegedly discovered two additional illegal immigrants at Lopez’s residence, which authorities said had previously been identified as a possible stash house.

Prosecutors also revealed Lopez has a violent criminal history. In 2005, she was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and child cruelty.

Another major smuggling-related case involves Yvette Yarelli Vasquez, who prosecutors say is connected to previously convicted alien smuggler Yovani Garcia-Cruz.

Federal authorities allege Vasquez knew about Garcia-Cruz’s latest smuggling activity and the money he was receiving from it. Investigators also reportedly uncovered proof-of-life videos and messages sent to Vasquez.

One video allegedly showed a young female child saying she was in El Paso. Another reportedly showed the tattooed hand of Vasquez providing food to children being harbored.

Repeat Deportations and Violent Histories

Federal authorities also detailed multiple illegal re-entry cases involving defendants with extensive criminal records.

Osiel Alfonso Marroquin-Morales, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, was located near the Fort Hancock Port of Entry after previously being deported twice, most recently in July 2025.

Authorities said his criminal history includes DUI-related convictions in Florida along with an Indiana conviction for causing death and serious injury while driving intoxicated. Prosecutors said he received a 10-year prison sentence in that case.

Another defendant, Juan Santiago-Alavez, was arrested near Tornillo after previously being deported twice. Prosecutors said his record includes six DUI convictions in addition to convictions involving domestic battery, false imprisonment, violating a court order, and vandalism.

In Del Rio, authorities arrested Juan Manuel Escareno-Anguiano, who prosecutors say had already been deported seven times before returning again illegally. His criminal record reportedly includes burglary convictions, escape from custody, and prior illegal re-entry convictions.

Luis Baena-Olivares, another Mexican national arrested near Del Rio, had allegedly been deported six times and granted seven voluntary returns. Prosecutors said his felony history includes robbery, kidnapping, evading arrest, and prior illegal re-entry convictions.

Federal officials also highlighted the case of Juan Pablo Bermudez-Cueto, who was arrested near Del Rio and charged with illegal re-entry after previously serving a prison sentence in Kansas for kidnapping and inflicting bodily injury.

Additional Arrests Across Texas

In San Antonio, authorities arrested Fidel Rodriguez-Herrera after a traffic stop conducted by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations later assisted with the case.

Federal prosecutors said Rodriguez-Herrera’s criminal history stretches from 1987 through 2011 and includes DUI offenses, assault causing bodily injury, failure to identify, and multiple illegal re-entry convictions.

In Austin, Marlon Ramirez-Castro of Honduras was transferred into ICE custody after being found in the Travis County Jail, where he had been jailed for evading arrest.

Authorities said Ramirez-Castro had previously been removed from the United States following a conviction involving bulk cash smuggling. His record also includes convictions for DWI, terroristic threat, and assaults causing bodily injury.

Another individual, Pedro Valadez-Galindo, was located in the Travis County Jail after being arrested for assaulting a pregnant person. Prosecutors said he had previously been deported following a controlled substance conviction.

The cases involved coordination between multiple federal agencies including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, DEA, FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and state and local law enforcement agencies.

The Western District of Texas covers 68 counties, includes approximately 660 miles of border shared with Mexico, and serves major population centers including San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso.