HARLINGEN, Texas (Border Report) — Two Texans pleaded guilty to smuggling migrants through South Texas, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei says.
Mac Quese Howard, 20, and De Richardson Miller, 18, of Brownfield, Texas, admitted to conspiring to transport illegal aliens through Laredo, Texas, Ganjei says.
Border Patrol agents say Howard and Miller tried to circumvent a Border Patrol checkpoint near Laredo. After they were pulled over for a traffic violation, three migrants were found hidden in the back seat of the SUV that Howard was driving.
Both told law enforcement they had traveled from their home outside Lubbock to Laredo to transport migrants to San Antonio. They were expected to receive a total of $5,000, which they said they were going to split.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña is to impose a sentencing at a later date.
Both face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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