Jury convicts truck driver of smuggling illegal aliens

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.   

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 47-year-old Seagoville resident has been found guilty of smuggling illegal aliens into the country, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

The jury deliberated for approximately an hour before convicting Jose Eduardo Rocha following a less than two-day trial.

On Feb. 10, Rocha drove a tractor trailer to the Border Patrol checkpoint near Falfurrias. He appeared nervous, looked around and avoided eye contact.

The jury heard that authorities shined a flashlight into the cab from outside and saw what appeared to be the back of a person’s head sticking out from a blanket on the top bunk.  

Law enforcement attempted to open the side sleeper door, but it was locked. Testimony revealed Rocha claimed the door was broken.

Upon further inspection, an x-ray scan revealed anomalies inside the cab. Authorities discovered four illegal aliens hiding on the top bunk, the main bed behind the driver, inside the closet and under the bed. They were from the countries of El Salvador and Guatemala.

Testimony revealed Rocha told the illegal aliens to be quiet and to hide.

The defense attempted to convince the jury that Rocha not fleeing from or fighting the authorities meant he did not know the aliens were hidden in his tractor cab. They were not convinced and found Rocha guilty as charged.

U.S. District Judge David S. Morales presided over the trial and set sentencing for Jan. 6, 2026. At that time, Rocha faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Rocha was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.

Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley A. Pruitt and Young M. Burkett prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.