CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A federal jury found a Sullivan City man guilty on two counts of transporting illegal migrants within the United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Alberto Chavez Jr., 28, was convicted by the jury after they deliberated for less than 45 minutes after a one-day trial.
A testimony revealed on Nov. 2, 2024, Chavez arrived at the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint for a routine immigration inspection with two passengers.
At the checkpoint he told agents the passengers were all his cousins and they were going north to find work. But during the trial the jury heard testimony that neither passenger was related to Chavez.
Both passengers were from Honduras and testified trial that they had crossed the Rio Grande a month earlier and were placed in various stash houses until Chavez picked them up.
Chavez reportedly bought the the men clothes to “make them appear more American” and told them on what to say when passing through the checkpoint.
The migrants also told the jury they had specifically informed Chavez they were illegally staying in the United States.
At the trial, the defense team attempted to convince the jury that Chavez had just agreed to give the men a ride, however, the jury did not believe the claims and found him guilty.
“Our Corpus Christi office has secured yet another guilty verdict against a smuggler of illegal aliens,” said Ganjei. “If people think they are going to lie or sneak their way past a Border Patrol checkpoint, they are setting themselves up for a prison stay. I thank the jury for their thoughtful consideration of the evidence in this case.”
The United States District Judge David S. Morales scheduled sentencing for June 18, where Chavez faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 maximum fine.
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