Federal authorities have filed immigration-related charges against 332 individuals in a sweeping enforcement operation that took place over one week across South Texas, U.S. officials announced.
The charges span from illegal entry and felony reentry to human smuggling, immigration fraud, and violent threats against federal agents. Of the total, 205 individuals were charged with illegal entry, and 109 were charged with felony illegal reentry after prior deportations. Many of those arrested had previous felony convictions. At least 10 cases involved human smuggling operations.
Woman Kicks ICE Agent During Raid
Among those arrested was Maria Isabel Cruz-Salas, a Mexican national living in San Benito, a border town in the Rio Grande Valley. During a worksite enforcement operation at Taqueria El Mante, an ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent attempted to detain her. According to the charges, Cruz-Salas responded by kicking the agent in the face. If convicted, she faces up to eight years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
Woman Allegedly Threatened to Shoot ICE Agents
In a separate case, Michelle Lee Varela, of San Antonio, allegedly threatened to shoot federal agents while they were performing an immigration-related action. When agents requested information about her husband’s legal status, she reportedly became hostile and said if her husband was taken, she would shoot the agents.
Despite being warned, Varela allegedly continued in a threatening tone. She now faces federal charges for threatening a federal officer and interstate communication of a threat. If convicted, she could serve up to 15 years in prison and face $500,000 in fines.
Fraudulent IDs and Smuggling Operations
Two more Mexican nationals, Paulina Lopez-Bello and Juan Eliud Calva-Lopez, were charged with using fraudulent green cards and Social Security numbers to secure employment in the U.S. They allegedly paid $300 for the fake documents. If convicted, each could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
In another case, Roberto Carlos Moncada-Pena, an undocumented resident of Mission, Texas, was arrested during a traffic stop when authorities found three undocumented immigrants in his vehicle. A later search of his apartment uncovered 10 more undocumented individuals. He faces human smuggling charges and up to 10 years in prison.
Repeat Offenders and Federal Sentencing
Federal prosecutors also announced the sentencing of four Mexican nationals for illegal reentry. One of them, Josue Rodriguez-Rodriguez, had been deported 10 times and has a criminal record including aggravated assault and drug offenses. He was sentenced to an additional 69 months in prison and will likely face deportation for the 11th time upon release.
Others sentenced had prior convictions for crimes including meth distribution, marijuana trafficking, and evading law enforcement. Their prison terms ranged from 21 to 57 months.
$1M Credit Card Fraud Scheme
Four men in Houston, including a 64-year-old Nigerian national, were convicted in a major mail theft and credit card fraud operation. Investigators say the group activated at least 120 stolen credit cards to purchase goods, services, and gift cards, resulting in an estimated $1 million loss to Chase Bank. The Nigerian man, who was living in the U.S. illegally, will be deported after serving a two-year sentence.
Federal Agencies Involved
The massive operation involved cooperation between ICE-HSI, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Border Patrol, the DEA, FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei emphasized the seriousness of the charges, especially threats made against federal officers. “Immigration authorities must be able to carry out their lawful duties free from violence or threats,” he said. “Those who attempt to obstruct or harm such agents will be held accountable.”
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities say more charges could follow as investigations continue into related smuggling, fraud, and violent conduct cases in the region.
