TEXAS
On Thursday, Guatemalan nationals Armando Gael-Galicia aka Artemio Diego Andres Gonzalez and Luis Moreno-Gonzalez, 26, and Jose Diego Tercero-Gonzalez, 22, both of whom resided in Texas, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to transport and harbor aliens for financial gain and resulting in death.
At sentencing, each defendant faces up to life in prison.
In early May 2021, the body of a young indigenous Guatemalan woman was discovered in a remote area just outside of Odessa, Texas.
On Aug. 23, 2021, Gael-Galicia and Tercero-Gonzalez were arrested in or near 910 Coyochic Avenue in Odessa, which was the location of the trailer where the victim was taken and died.
Inside the trailer were additional migrants who had entered the country illegally, detailed ledgers, and more than 100 cell phones.
According to their guilty pleas, the defendants admitted that they operated an alien smuggling organization and were responsible for transporting the migrant who died.
This investigation is related to the recent indictment and arrests of the following suspects:
- Felipe Diego Alonzo aka Siete, 38
- Nesly Norberto Martinez Gomez aka Canche, 37
- Lopez Mateo Mateo aka Bud Light, 42
- Juan Gutierrez Castro aka Andres, 45; in Guatemala in August 2022.
Those defendants allegedly conspired with other smugglers to facilitate the travel of large numbers of migrants from Guatemala through Mexico and, ultimately, to the United States.
They charged migrants and their families approximately $10,000 to $12,000 for the perilous journey.
In addition to prolific smuggling of migrants to the United States, the human smugglers targeted in the August 2022 operation are alleged to be responsible for the death of the same indigenous Guatemalan woman transported by Gael-Galicia and Tercero-Gonzalez.
Guatemalan authorities arrested Diego Alonzo, Martinez Gomez, Mateo Mateo, and Gutierrez Castro.
“Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) was created to investigate and prosecute the international networks responsible for dangerous human smuggling activities that exploit and victimize migrants,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Through extensive coordination with our U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement partners, yesterday’s guilty pleas emphasize JTFA’s comprehensive mission to leave no stone unturned in its efforts to hold accountable all those who treat human life like a commodity.”
“I am incredibly thankful for the collaborative law enforcement efforts that resulted in these guilty pleas,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas. “Not only are they indicative of joint efforts to hold callous human smugglers accountable but they also demonstrate our firm commitment to ensuring that all victims receive justice.”
“The Department of Justice and federal agencies thank Guatemalan law enforcement, who were instrumental in furthering this investigation.