South Texas prosecutors pursue 161 immigration and border security-related criminal cases in less than a week
Houston, Texas – Federal authorities in South Texas have announced a large-scale immigration and border security enforcement effort that resulted in charges against 161 individuals over a six-day period.
Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck said the cases were filed between June 12 and June 17 and involve a variety of alleged immigration-related offenses, including illegal entry, unlawful reentry after deportation, human smuggling, and other federal immigration crimes.
According to federal officials, 33 of the individuals face allegations of illegally entering the United States. Another 104 people have been accused of unlawfully returning to the country after previously being removed. Authorities stated that many of those charged have prior felony convictions involving narcotics trafficking, immigration violations, violent offenses, and other crimes.
Investigators also filed charges against 21 people accused of participating in human smuggling operations. Three additional cases involve other immigration-related offenses.
Several defendants accused of returning after prior removals
Among the newly filed cases is that of Guatemalan national Rodolfo Belisario Mendez-Mencho. According to the criminal complaint, he was removed from the United States on March 29 but was later found again in the country near Sullivan City.
Federal authorities allege Mendez-Mencho has a previous conviction related to abuse, abandonment, or cruelty.
Three Mexican nationals — Jose Robledo Cruz, Jose De Jesus Garcia-Andrade, and Eduardo Lopez-Figueroa — were also charged after authorities allegedly discovered them in the McAllen area despite prior removals from the United States.
Court documents indicate the men have criminal histories that include offenses such as felony assault by strangulation, multiple driving while intoxicated convictions, and trafficking of controlled substances.
Federal prosecutors contend that all four men lacked legal authorization to be in the United States. If convicted, each could face penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Prison sentences imposed in separate smuggling cases
In addition to the newly filed criminal complaints, federal officials announced prison sentences in two separate alien smuggling cases involving assaults on Border Patrol agents.
Mexican national Adrian Isaac Pimentel-Garcia received a 36-month federal prison sentence after authorities said he assaulted a Border Patrol agent while attempting to avoid arrest. Prosecutors alleged he had been guiding individuals who were unlawfully present through a residential neighborhood.
Another defendant, Juan Carlos Lopez Jr., also received a 36-month prison sentence. Authorities stated that Lopez led law enforcement officers on a vehicle pursuit before driving toward a Border Patrol agent and striking a patrol vehicle.
Federal officials said both cases demonstrated the dangers law enforcement personnel can face while carrying out immigration enforcement duties.
Houston defendant sentenced for unlawful reentry
In a separate case in Houston, Mexican national Marco Antonio Zuniga was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison after being convicted of unlawfully reentering the United States.
Authorities said Zuniga had previously been convicted of methamphetamine trafficking and was serving a period of supervised release when he was encountered in Houston without legal authorization to remain in the country.
The cases were investigated and supported by numerous federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. State and local law enforcement agencies also provided assistance.
Federal officials said the prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative focused on combating illegal immigration, targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and addressing violent crime.
Authorities noted that border security and public safety remain top priorities for the Southern District of Texas, one of the busiest federal districts in the nation. Prosecutors and law enforcement partners across Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo continue working together to investigate and prosecute federal offenses throughout the region.
