Man sent to prison for years-long human smuggling operation

EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man was sentenced to prison for a human smuggling operation that spanned over 17 years across the Rio Grande Valley.

Julian Alberto Soto was sentenced to nearly four years for the smuggling operation across areas of the Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol Sector.

Soto was arrested in January 2025 after he led agents and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers on a high-speed chase in Roma.

The pursuit ended when Soto drove his vehicle off an embankment to avoid arrest.

According to the RGV Border Patrol Sector, Soto has a criminal history of human smuggling.

In August 2024, Soto was arrested and charged with smuggling 20 individuals, but those charges were dismissed due to procedural issues.

The investigation revealed Soto's coordination with several criminal organizations throughout his 17-year operation.

"I commend our agents for their exceptional work in bringing this long-term criminal operation to justice," said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. "This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding criminals accountable and protecting our communities from those who would exploit vulnerable individuals for profit."