Alien smuggling group dismantled

LAREDO, Texas – A group of five Laredoans have now been sentenced for operating an alien smuggling organization, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Jaquon Davis is the last to be sentenced and pleaded guilty Oct. 10, 2024.  

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo determined him to be the leader of the conspiracy and sentenced him to 44 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that showed Davis was a long-time alien smuggler who recruited several people.

“This case demonstrates the Southern District of Texas’ commitment to stopping the flow of illegal aliens into our country,” said Ganjei. “That means prosecuting not only illegal aliens, but also those who support and help them in breaking our laws.” 

On March 19, 2024, Davis and four others travelled in three cars around the I-35 checkpoint north of Laredo using the access road in an attempt to avoid law enforcement.  

One car was used as a scout and the other two cars carried illegal aliens. Authorities ultimately pulled them over and discovered a total of 12 illegal aliens in the vehicles. One was concealed in a box located in a truck bed.

Two of the illegal aliens claimed they had arranged to be smuggled to cities in Texas for large amounts of money. They had crossed the Rio Grande River and stayed at a stash house before being picked up by someone in the group.

The investigation revealed the smugglers had stayed in a local motel and coordinated the event from there. Davis was the leader and coordinator of this event and had paid for the hotel rooms.

Carlota Herrera, 34, and Ruben Campos, 30, previously received 21 and 37 months, respectively, for transporting the illegal aliens. Bobby Vaughan Hoodye, 40, was sentenced to six months for his role in providing one of the cars that was used to transport the illegal aliens, while Jakhalib Fisher, 21, was ordered to serve 33 months for coordinating and overseeing the smuggling event.

Davis has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan L. Oliver prosecuted the case.