Roma resident sentenced for smuggling 41 migrants

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A Roma resident was sentenced for his involvement in migrant smuggling, the United States Attorney's Office announced.

On Jan. 23, 32-year-old Felipe Montez pleaded guilty to smuggling migrants.

On Dec. 23, 2024, Montez attempted to transport seven migrants. According to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office, Montez was waiting by the Rio Grande River near Escobares as migrants ran from the river towards his vehicle.

When migrants spotted law enforcement, they attempted to run away, but authorities were able to apprehend them.

Upon further investigation, authorities revealed that Montez was involved in four previous migrant smuggling events, which, according to investigators, involved attempts to evade authorities.

All five smuggling operations occurred in the area of Roma.

The U.S. Attorney's Office states that Montez's smuggling operations involved a total of 41 migrants.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Montez to serve three years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

During the court hearing, evidence detailed that Montez had four prior state arrests for human smuggling within the seven months before his federal arrest in 2024.

The U.S. Attorney's Office details that several of the smuggling attempts involved fleeing from authorities, resulting in the injury of two migrants.

Montez is pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.