Leader of alien smuggling organization heads to federal prison

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 29-year-old Houston resident has been ordered to prison for his role as the leader and organizer of a conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Hosmel Vences pleaded guilty May 22, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Vences to serve 48 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, Vences filed objections claiming not to be a leader/organizer and against enhancements for recklessness and possession of weapons. Judge Ramos ultimately found all to be true and noted Vences was aware of any firearms that drivers he recruited possessed and recklessness in the transport of the illegal aliens. As the leader/organizer of the smuggling events, Vences was held responsible for everything he knew about regarding the actions of others, including possession of firearms and recklessness.

“The human smuggling business is all about money and nothing else,” said Ganjei. “These smugglers don’t care about the lives of those that they transport, nor do they care about the impact their business has on American communities. Fortunately, through the hard work of our law enforcement partners and this office, this human smuggling conspiracy has been dismantled, and its ringleader will be off to federal prison.”

The court found Vences was found responsible for organizing the smuggling of at least 75 illegal aliens between Aug. 16 – Dec. 17, 2023.

The investigation revealed Vences recruited many different drivers from all over South Texas to drive to Brownsville and Raymondville for the purpose of transporting illegal aliens further into the United States.

Vences would personally speak to all the drivers. He confirmed details of their trips, communicated directly with individuals who loaded the aliens into the vehicles and then got updates on the progress of each individual trip. He would also meet up with his drivers and pay them for getting the aliens past the checkpoint. 

He posted about his activities on social media, demonstrating how much money he was making as part of the conspiracy.

Vences will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith 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.