Mission stash house operator imprisoned

McALLEN, Texas – A 37-year-old man has been sentenced for harboring aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Miguel Angel Nunez-Urrea pleaded guilty Nov. 30, 2023.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now ordered Nunez-Urrea to serve 41 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard additional testimony that the firearms Nunez-Urrea possessed were capable of accepting large capacity magazines. In handing down the sentence, Judge Crane noted the effect these actions had on Nunez-Urrea’s family.

On Sept. 26, 2023, authorities encountered a group of undocumented aliens near Falfurrias. The investigation led to a stash house in Mission where Nunez resided with his wife. They also believed firearms to be in the home.

On Oct. 11, 2o23, law enforcement conducted a search at the couple’s residence in the early hours of the day. At that time, they discovered seven undocumented aliens - Nunez-Urrea, his wife and five others who were in the attic above a child’s bedroom.

Authorities also found a loaded pistol, a .22 caliber rifle and high-capacity magazines within the couple’s bedroom, all of which belonged to Nunez-Urrea.

Further investigation revealed text messages detailing the undocumented migrants were to be transferred to the Houston area after staying with the couple.

Nunez-Urrea’s wife, Kenia Anguiano-Sanchez, 30, a Mexican national, also pleaded guilty and was previously sentenced.

Nunez-Urrea and Anguiano-Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Border Patrol conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.