CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A Mexican National illegally in the United States has entered a guilty plea to attempting to smuggle four persons also in the US illegally through the brush which resulted in death, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Sergio Daniel Barba-Rayo, 27, pleaded guilty to conspiring to move a person illegally in the United States.
Barba-Rayo was guiding a group of undocumented immigrants around the U.S. Border Patrol (BP) Checkpoint near Falfurrias when law enforcement agents discovered them, according to a press released by the Department of Justice.
Some of the undocumented immigrants claimed Barba-Rayo was the guide and that a fifth person was left in the brush after not being able to keep up with the group. Authorities ultimately found the victim whom was already deceased.
Barba-Rayo was arrested at that time. He has been and will remain in custody pending his sentencing, set for Dec. 4, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos.
At that time, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Paxton is prosecuting the case.
