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Press Release

Smuggler Gets Enhanced Sentence

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas

McALLEN, Texas ‐ Jose Guadalupe Reyna-Esparza, 21, of Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison for nine years as a result of his conviction of smuggling undocumented aliens, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Reyna-Esparza pleaded guilty Oct. 2, 2013.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Reyna-Esparza to a sentence of 108 months imprisonment. The sentence was enhanced as the court took into consideration the fact he had sexually assaulted a 14-year-old female undocumented alien on a number of occasions. As an illegal alien, Reyna-Esparza is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.

From July 16 to July 17, 2012, Reyna-Esparza harbored undocumented aliens at a residence located in McAllen. On July 17, 2012, law enforcement officers observed Reyna-Esparza and two other individuals leave the residence in a vehicle. When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Reyna-Esparza who was driving, led them on a high speed chase before eventually stopping and absconding into a field. Through investigation, it was discovered that Reyna-Esparza had sexually assaulted the 14-year-old undocumented alien.

The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, San Juan Police Department and Alton Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly Ann Leo and Kristen Rees prosecuted the case.

Updated April 30, 2015