Human smugglers sentenced after harboring and threatening individuals with gun

McALLEN, Texas – Two men from Pharr have been ordered to federal prison for their roles in a conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Baylee Bret Lugo, 21, and Florentino Trevino II, 27, pleaded guilty Nov. 2, 2020, and Oct. 20, 2020, respectively.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez handed Lugo a 46-month term of imprisonment, while Trevino was ordered to serve 33 months in prison. Each sentence will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court found Lugo and Trevino responsible for involuntarily detaining, threatening and brandishing a firearm at four undocumented aliens at a hotel in Pharr during the course of the conspiracy on July 9, 2020. 

Jesus Ricardo Garcia-Suarez, 48, a Mexican citizen who illegally resided in Mission, had also admitted guilt and was previously sentenced to a term of 18 months for his role in the offense. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his incarceration.

From June 26 to July 9, 2020, Garcia-Suarez harbored four undocumented aliens at a residence in Mission. He then transported them to Trevino who was waiting at a local grocery store. Trevino subsequently drove the undocumented aliens to the Pharr hotel he had rented where he and Lugo held them against their will. During that time, Lugo brandished a firearm at them, confiscated their cell phones and money and demanded additional payment for their release. 

One managed to escape and flagged down a bystander for help. Law enforcement responded to the hotel where they found Lugo and the others, as well as firearm hidden in the room. Authorities subsequently arrested Trevino as he was attempting to drive away from the hotel. 

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

Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol and Pharr Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case.