LAREDO, Texas – Two Texas residents have admitted to conspiring to transport illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
On March 22, authorities observed a Ford Expedition circumventing a Border Patrol (BP) checkpoint near Laredo. Mac Quese Howard, 20, was driving, and De Richardson Miller, 18, was in the front passenger seat providing directions. Authorities conducted a traffic stop and found three illegal aliens hidden in the back seat.
Miller and Howard admitted they had travelled to Laredo for the sole purpose of picking up the aliens and transporting them to San Antonio for payment.
Howard expected to receive a total of $5,000 to split with Miller after delivering the illegal aliens.
U.S. District Judge Diana Saldaña will impose sentencing at a later date. At that time, both face up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Howard has been and will remain in custody, while Miller was released on bond pending that hearing.
BP conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
