Description: Laredo, Texas criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens for financial gain.

Jose Luis Vega-Arzate, Nuevo Laredo, Temaulipas, Mexico, drove into the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint north of Laredo on May 11. At initial inspection, he displayed nervous behavior and had trouble shifting gears.

After a K-9 also alerted to the trailer, authorities broke the seal, opened it and discovered 85 individuals locked inside the vehicle. They were later determined to be illegally present in the United States.

At that time, Vega-Arzate told authorities that he had agreed to pay $8,000 to have himself smuggled from Mexico into the country and transported to Austin. He volunteered to drive the tractor trailer through the Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint to receive a large reduction in his own transportation fee. He did not possess experience or a commercial driving license to drive a tractor trailer in Texas.

According to court documents, he was cautioned to avoid stopping on the way to San Antonio because the undocumented individuals could die due to lack of ventilation resulting from the trailer’s lack of movement.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of BP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez is prosecuting this case.

Conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Any Person. Penalty: 0 to 20 years and/or $250,000 Fine, $100 special assessment, $5,000 special assessment, not more than a three (3)-year term of supervised release
(1)
Transport and Attempt to transport an undocumented alien within the United States Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Any Person and for financial gain. Penalty: 0 to 20 years and/or $250,000 Fine, $100 special assessment, $5,000 special assessment, not more than a three (3)-year term of supervised release
(2-3)
Conspiracy to transport an undocumented alien within the United States. Penalty: 0 to 10 years and/or $250,000 Fine, $100 special assessment, $5,000 special assessment, not more than a three (3)-year term of supervised release
(4)
Transport and Attempt to transport an undocumented alien within the United States for financial gain. Penalty: 0 to 10 years and/or $250,000 Fine, $100 special assessment, $5,000 special assessment, not more than a three (3)-year term of supervised release
(5-6)
False, Fictitious or Fraudulent Statement. Penalty: 0 to 5 years and/or $250,000.00 Fine, $100 special assessment, not more than a three (3)-year term of supervised release
(7)

Outcome: Vega-Arzate faces up to 20 years in federal prison and possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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