South Texas jury convicts South Carolina man for smuggling 23 aliens

LAREDO, Texas — A South Carolina man was convicted Oct. 7 for transporting illegal aliens for profit, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas.

This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Border Patrol.

Henry Gill, 44, from South Carolina was found guilty following a two-day trial that started Oct.5.

According to court documents, the jury heard that on Jan. 7 HSI observed three vehicles deliver 15 illegal aliens at the J.E.F./Killam Road intersection in Laredo. These aliens entered Gill’s tractor-trailer and were transported north through the IH-35 CBP Border Patrol Checkpoint. CBP detained Gill’s vehicle at the checkpoint, at which time the illegal aliens were discovered.

Gill was searched and CBP discovered a cell phone with incriminating text messages discussing payment of $10,000 for transporting illegal aliens. Gill also provided conflicting stories to agents.

This investigation further led to discovering eight more illegal aliens within a local stash house.

Testimony further revealed more details of the conspiracy and Gill’s involvement. Witnesses explained how they crossed into the U.S. from Mexico and stayed at the local stash house until they were delivered to Gill’s tractor-trailer. This investigation also revealed they paid co-conspirators thousands of dollars for the illegal transportation.

Sentencing will be set at a later date before U.S. District Judge Diana Saldana.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sanjeev Bhasker and Sarah Ellison, Southern District of Texas, are prosecuting this case.