Illegal alien from Mexico sentenced in South Texas to 9 years in federal prison for human smuggling involving death
HOUSTON — An illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas, announced this sentence with Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Jose Isabel Paz-Martinez, 28, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales. Paz-Martinez pleaded guilty to the charge July 23 admitting the conspiracy resulted in the death of a young woman.
This prison sentence was enhanced since the court found he was a leader/organizer in the conspiracy. As an illegal alien, he is expected to face deportation proceedings following his release from prison.
The conspiracy lasted from Jan. 1 to Dec. 18, 2014. Paz-Martinez was responsible for coordinating the transportation of illegal aliens from U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints to Houston. His role included obtaining vehicles and hiring drivers to transport the smuggled illegal aliens. About 87 illegal aliens had been transported during the course of the conspiracy.
On June 10, 2014, a 21-year-old Salvadoran woman was with a group of illegal aliens picked up in a truck driven by one of Paz-Martinez’s drivers. As the woman was trying to climb into the back of the truck, the truck sped away prematurely and she slipped and fell onto the highway. Soon after, she was run over by a tractor trailer.
“The tragic loss of life in this case shows the very real risks that people face when they put themselves in the hands of a smuggler,” said Moskowitz of HSI Houston. “Those responsible for illegally moving people into and through our country place personal profit ahead of public safety and border protection. They are driven by greed with little regard for the health and well-being of their human cargo, which can be a deadly combination.”
Paz-Martinez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
This investigation was conducted by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad W. Cowan, Southern District of Texas, is prosecuting this case.
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