CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A 21-year-old Weslaco man has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens, according to Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Hugo Jimenez Jr. pleaded guilty on Nov. 13, 2025. U.S. District Judge David S. Morales ordered Jimenez to serve the prison term, followed by two years of supervised release. During the hearing, the court heard evidence that Jimenez attempted to mislead law enforcement regarding a failed smuggling attempt that led to the seizure of his vehicle. The court noted Jimenez’s leadership role and the significant number of illegal aliens he transported.
From October 2024 to May 2025, Jimenez orchestrated numerous smuggling events across South Texas, conspiring with others to transport illegal aliens further into the United States. He recruited local drivers to navigate through Border Patrol checkpoints, concealing the aliens in vehicle cargo areas. Jimenez often scouted checkpoints in advance and coordinated rendezvous points north of inspection sites. On occasion, he personally transported the aliens to San Antonio or Houston.
Previously released on bond, Jimenez was taken into custody and will remain there pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. The investigation was conducted by Border Patrol’s Intelligence Unit and the Kingsville Abatement Team, with assistance from the Rio Grande Valley Sector Targeting and Intelligence Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Lamont prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime perpetrators.