Cuban national convicted of trafficking aliens in rotten produce

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has returned a guilty verdict against a 38-year-old man for transporting illegal aliens within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

The jury deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before convicting Illeysel Carcasses following a two-day trial that included 10 witnesses.

On Nov. 13, 2023, Carcasses drove a refrigerated box truck to the Sarita Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint. Upon initial inspection, a K-9 alerted to the rear of the truck. During a search, authorities discovered five undocumented individuals concealed inside the back of the vehicle hidden amongst pallets of rotten produce. The jury heard how the individuals were locked inside with no way of escaping.  

Carcasses denied having keys to open the rear of the vehicle. However, authorities had discovered the keys in the truck’s cab. Evidence also showed that his cell phone was present at the location where the undocumented individuals were loaded into the vehicle.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that Carcasses was unaware the undocumented individuals were concealed in his truck. The jury did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for May 8. At that time, Carcasses faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Carcasses was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Marck and Joseph Griffith are prosecuting the case.