South Texas man learns fate for smuggling nearly 30 illegals in cargo trailer

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 25-year-old resident of Alamo has been sentenced in Corpus Christi federal court for transporting illegal aliens within the country, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Jose Angel Herrera pleaded guilty July 10.

Today, U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered him to prison for 45 months to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Herrera’s criminal history and the needless and substantial risk to human life his actions caused.

On May 21, Herrera approached the primary inspection lane of the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Sarita driving a Chevrolet Silverado and pulling a cargo trailer. During routine inspection, Herrera appeared nervous and would not make eye contact with authorities. 

A K-9 also alerted to the trailer, indicating  the possible presence of humans and /or narcotics.

In secondary inspection, law enforcement located a total of 28 undocumented aliens inside the cargo trailer, one of whom was an unaccompanied minor.

At the time of his plea, Herrera admitted that he knowingly transported the aliens in the trailer.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and BP conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Dunn prosecuted the case.