LAREDO, Texas — A 25-year-old Laredo resident has been sentenced to federal prison for transporting illegal aliens following a failed smuggling attempt, according to Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Duilio Ivan Selgado pleaded guilty on February 3 and was ordered by U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana to serve 41 months in federal prison, with an additional 14 months for violating his supervised release. This 55-month sentence will be followed by two years of supervised release. During the hearing, the court reviewed Selgado’s extensive criminal history, which includes violence, assaults, arson, and high-speed flights from law enforcement. Judge Saldana noted this was Selgado’s sixth arrest for alien smuggling and his second violation of supervised release for the same offense.
On November 10, 2025, authorities observed approximately 20 illegal aliens crossing the Rio Grande near the La Bota Ranch area in Laredo. They were picked up by a Ford Expedition and a Ford F-150, leading to a pursuit by law enforcement. Selgado was seen exiting the Expedition, and several aliens fled on foot. One alien reported paying to be smuggled into the U.S. and identified Selgado as receiving directions via phone.
Selgado, a member of the Paisas prison gang, remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Day prosecuted the case.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, aimed at dismantling criminal organizations and human smuggling rings. The task force includes multiple agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution. The investigation also involved Joint Task Force Alpha, targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations impacting U.S. borders.
To date, Joint Task Force Alpha’s efforts have led to over 455 arrests and more than 400 U.S. convictions related to alien smuggling and trafficking.