HOUSTON — Two Houston men, Richard Dell Carroll II, 26, and Josue Isaac Hernandez, 23, have been sentenced to 66 months in federal prison for their roles in a large-scale human smuggling operation, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei on Monday.
Carroll and Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants and have been linked to at least 53 failed smuggling attempts involving more than 100 immigrants.
Court testimony revealed the harsh and inhumane conditions victims endured during these smuggling attempts. In one instance, a seven-year-old girl was confined inside a plastic bin, sweating after being separated from her mother. Another case involved two young women hidden inside a fake speaker box placed in a sweltering trunk, where temperatures soared above 102 degrees.
Federal investigators began connecting the cases to Carroll and Hernandez in December 2022 after repeatedly discovering the fake speaker boxes during vehicle searches. Further evidence included shopping lists the two men sent to drivers and proof they arranged the installation of these concealment devices.
Authorities also uncovered that Carroll and Hernandez recruited drivers nationwide using Instagram and other social media platforms. Hernandez reportedly used his illegal earnings to fund a lavish lifestyle that featured international travel and private jet use.
Meanwhile, Carroll portrayed himself as an entrepreneur and financial adviser, claiming to invest illegal proceeds despite lacking qualifications. He falsely asserted having worked for Tesla and being enrolled at Rice University.
