4 family members sentenced for human smuggling 'family enterprise' in South Texas

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) -- Four family members have been sentenced to federal prison for operating what authorities say was an extensive human smuggling organization in South Texas.

The family members on March 15 received prison sentences ranging from six and a half to 15 years, according to Homeland Security Investigations in Del Rio, Texas.

U.S. District Judge Alia Moses on March 15 ordered Eva Maria Galeas, 43, of San Antonio, to serve 15 years; Lisa Marie Ortega, 25, of San Antonio, to serve 13 years; Sandra Galeas-Mejia, 48, of Mexico, to serve seven years; and Norma Galeas-Mejia, 52, of Honduras, to serve 6.5 years.

Moses also ordered the forfeiture of $603,593 discovered in a safe during the home search of Roberto Galeas-Mejia, Eva Galeas and Ortega, in Del Rio.

According to court documents, the four were identified as co-conspirators of Roberto Galeas-Mejia, 47, of Honduras. He is the husband to Norma Galeas-Mejia Galeas, stepfather to Ortega and brother of the other two defendants, and authorities say he led a San Antonio-based human smuggling organization, overseeing activities that included the transportation and harboring of undocumented noncitizens and the coordination of payments.

Officials say Eva Galeas, Ortega, Sandra Galeas-Mejia, and Norma Galeas-Mejia played roles in accepting and withdrawing human smuggling proceeds. Funds were funneled through the conspirators’ bank accounts and used to pay drivers and stash house operators, rent stash houses, and to further aid the operation. Funds were also used for personal expenses such as vehicle purchases.

Authorities arrested the family members in 2019 and three were found guilty by a federal jury in July 2022.

“These defendants, along with Roberto Galeas-Mejia, built a family enterprise through human smuggling operations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our federal partners at HSI and Border Patrol, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the Galeas human smuggling business ultimately failed. All five members of the family will serve extensive federal prison sentences, joining many of their co-conspirators after several years of apprehensions and disruption to their efforts.”

“The defendants in this case put our national security at risk by illegally bringing people to the United States without any inspection," said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “This sentencing is a great example of how HSI uses its agency partnerships to bring criminals to justice in the United States."