ALAMO, Texas — Eusebio Cavazos, 33, of Alamo, Texas, pleaded guilty to charges of human smuggling after attempting to transport 36 illegal migrants in a tractor-trailer. The arrest occurred on December 13, 2024, when Cavazos drove through a Border Patrol checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. During the initial inspection, a K-9 alerted authorities to the possibility of human presence in the trailer. Upon further inspection, agents discovered the 36 migrants—15 from Guatemala, 10 from Honduras, 8 from Mexico, and 3 from El Salvador—hidden in the trailer.
Cavazos admitted that he had been hired to drive the migrants from near Donna, Texas, to Houston, expecting to receive $1,000 per person for his role in the smuggling operation. Five of the migrants had been previously removed from the U.S. and now face charges for illegal re-entry.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei warned of the dangers of smuggling people in such conditions, noting the risks of mass casualties. Cavazos faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for May 15 before U.S. District Judge David Morales. Cavazos remains in custody pending his sentencing.
