CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –A Mexican National is going to prison for trying to smuggle 53 people into the United States in a trailer. Luis Valero-Carrizales, 39, pleaded guilty to the trafficking charges on April 4, 2018. Today, Judge Nelva Ramos sentenced him to 30 months in prison.
At his plea hearing, Valero-Carrizales admitted he conspired to transport illegal immigrants hidden behind a load of produce in the trailer portion of the 18-wheeler he was driving. On Dec. 16, 2017, Valero-Carrizales drove a freightliner up to the primary inspection lane at the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint near Falfurrias. A service canine alerted Border Patrol agents to the trailer. Agents found 53 people hidden inside the trailer which was 54 degrees inside.
Valero-Carrizales was in the United States on a visitor visa. He could face deportation following his release from prison.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Miller is prosecuting the case.
