Man pleads guilty to smuggling person who died after crossing Rio Grande

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Mexican national has pleaded guilty to his involvement in smuggling a person into the U.S. who died a few days after crossing the Rio Grande.

Jose Guadalupe Antonio-Arredondo is 23 years old and admitted to his role in smuggling an illegal person across the Rio Grande who later died.

On July 12, 2024, Arredondo acted as a river guide for a man who was attempting to cross into the United States illegally. He guided the man to a brush guide across the river and to the border wall before going back into Mexico.

The brush guide and man attempting to enter the country illegally crossed the border wall and continued on their path. However, the man had trouble breathing and collapsed shortly after. The brush guide abandoned him and ran to a nearby house to hide from law enforcement.

Authorities later found the man who collapsed and had him transported to a hospital, where he died from his injuries. The man was pronounced deal July 17, 2024.

Arredondo is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20. At that time he faces up to life in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.