Mexican National Man Convicted in Alien Smuggling Case that Resulted in a Death

McALLEN, Texas – A 31-year-old man from Mexico has admitted he knowingly transported an illegal alien within the United States for private financial gain, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. As part of the plea, Victor Manuel Moreno-Ruiz, also admitted that during the course of the illegal conduct, a female illegal alien died.

During his plea today, Moreno admitted that on Aug. 4, 2014, he served as a foot guide responsible for smuggling a group of undocumented aliens into the United States. He instructed them how to walk along the side of the bridge and how to scale down from the bridge at the Pharr Port of Entry. In the process of crossing the bridge, a female illegal alien fell off the bridge and sustained severe injuries. As part of his plea, Moreno admitted that he left the injured woman behind and continued to smuggle the remaining members of the group.

The next day, law enforcement officers discovered the deceased body of the female victim. An autopsy revealed that she had died as a result of blunt force trauma due to a fall.

U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez accepted the plea and has set sentencing for Nov. 12, 2015. At that time, he faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine.

The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance by Border Patrol, Pharr Police Department and Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Alex Benavides are prosecuting the case.