Smuggling Boss and Two Others Head to Prison in Alien Smuggling Conspiracy

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A total of three people have been ordered to federal prison for their roles related to a conspiracy to harbor and transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Homero Gonzalez-Carranza, 30, a citizen of Mexico who resided in Houston, pleaded guilty to being a boss in the conspiracy which existed from January 2007 until January 2015. Eduardo Luis Pompa, 26, also of Houston, was convicted June 11, 2015, following a two-day trial and only 45 minutes of deliberations. Also sentenced today was co-conspirator Lisa Quintanilla, 46, of Premont, who had previously pleaded guilty.

Today, Senior U.S. District Judge Hayden Head handed Gonzalez-Carranza a 151-month sentence. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face deportation proceedings upon his release from federal prison. Pompa received a sentence of 63 months, while Quintanilla was sentenced to 34 months.

Gonzalez-Carranza oversaw the transportation of illegal aliens from the Rio Grande Valley to Houston. Illegal aliens would be harbored at stash houses in Houston until ultimately being transported to their final destinations within the United States. During the conspiracy, illegal aliens suffered injuries during transport, such as during high speed chases and vehicles crashes.

In one instance, 115 illegal aliens were discovered in a house in Houston on March 19, 2014. They were held against their will at the stash house which was about 1400 square feet with boarded up windows and doors.

During Pompa’s trial, which involved the testimony of 15 government witnesses, evidence established that Pompa served as a scout for the alien smuggling organization. In that role, he would drive ahead of or behind vehicles transporting illegal aliens to look for law enforcement. Pompa served in this capacity from early 2014 until July 14, 2014, when he was arrested with nine other conspirators transporting 57 aliens to Houston.

Quintanilla also served as a scout for the alien smuggling organization and did so from January 2014 to June 2014. Lucia Mendez, 35, of Pasadena, who previously pleaded guilty, also worked for the alien smuggling organization. She provided vehicles that were used by other members of the organization to transport illegal aliens and served in this role during 2014.  Mendez is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 29, 2015. Mendez, Pompa, and Quintanilla worked for Gonzalez-Carranza.

Additionally, evidence also established that this criminal organization transported multiple loads of illegal aliens on a weekly and even daily basis. On one occasion - April 23, 2014 - a load driver for the organization was arrested transporting five illegal aliens near Premont. That driver attempted to flee, traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour and finally crashing into a tree, causing serious bodily injuries to the aliens. Quintanilla served as a scout for this particular load. The evidence also established that Pompa was working as a scout that same day, but for another load of transported aliens.

It is estimated that thousands of illegal aliens were transported and harbored during this conspiracy.  

Gonzalez-Carranza and Pompa will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Quintanilla will remain on bond pending her designation to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, also to be determined in the near future.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol as part of the South Texas Campaign. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad W. Cowan is prosecuting the case.