A 50-year-old Cuban truck driver has been detained and charged with involvement in an illegal migrant smuggling case in the United States. Mario Enrique Nerey-Valdivia faces up to five years in federal prison and a potential maximum fine of $250,000 after being found guilty by a Texas jury following a one-day trial, according to the Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney's Office.
The publication notes that the jury heard testimony that Nerey-Valdivia drove a trailer truck to a Border Patrol checkpoint near Falfurrias. During an immigration inspection, agents noticed an individual attempting to hide in the rear compartment of the truck. A more detailed inspection of the vehicle revealed five undocumented individuals in the bunks covered with blankets.
Nerey-Valdivia's defense attorneys tried to persuade the jury that the driver was unaware of the people in the cab of his truck. However, the court did not believe these claims and found him guilty of the charges, the document states. Sentencing has been set by Federal District Judge David S. Morales for November 6. He was allowed to remain on bail pending sentencing.
The investigation was carried out by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
In March, two Cuban permanent residents in the United States were detained by Border Patrol agents (USBP) in New Mexico after being discovered in an operation involving the smuggling of 23 undocumented immigrants. The police in Glendale, Los Angeles, arrested Cuban Emmanuel Garcia Guzmán, accused of trafficking migrants from the island and later prostituting them. Guzmán was arrested in late June during an undercover operation in California, which is part of the United States' actions against human trafficking involving Cuban citizens in areas such as Houston, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Miami, as stated in a case report.
In July, two Cubans residing in Florida were arrested for smuggling immigrants near a border crossing between the United States and Mexico.
Details on Cuban Migrant Smuggling Case
Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers related to the Cuban truck driver detained for smuggling migrants in Texas.
What are the charges against Mario Enrique Nerey-Valdivia?
Mario Enrique Nerey-Valdivia has been charged with involvement in an illegal migrant smuggling case and faces up to five years in federal prison and a potential maximum fine of $250,000.
What evidence was presented against Nerey-Valdivia?
Evidence presented included the discovery of five undocumented individuals hidden in the bunks of Nerey-Valdivia's truck during an inspection at a Border Patrol checkpoint near Falfurrias.
When is the sentencing for Nerey-Valdivia?
Nerey-Valdivia's sentencing is scheduled for November 6 by Federal District Judge David S. Morales.