DEL RIO, TX - A family has been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a human smuggling operation based in San Antonio. This family includes Eva Maria Galeas, Lisa Marie Ortega, Sandra Galeas-Mejia, and Norma Galeas-Mejia. They were found guilty of working with Roberto Galeas-Mejia, who led the organization.
Roberto is Eva's husband, Lisa's stepfather, and Sandra's and Norma's brother. The family's job was to transport and harbor immigrants, as well as handling the money and payments for the operation.
“Funds were also used for personal expenses such as vehicle purchases,” a news release on the situation stated. “Over the course of the investigation, Homeland Security Investigations thwarted multiple smuggling loads and arrested numerous co-conspirators and attempted illegal immigrants.
The women accepted and withdrew money from the smuggling events. They used this money to pay drivers, rent stash houses, and cover personal expenses. The operation was uncovered in 2019, and in 2022, Roberto, Eva, and Lisa were found guilty. Sandra snd Norma pleaded guilty.
Eva was sentenced to 180 months in prison, Lisa to 156 months, Sandra to 84 months, and Norma to 78 months. They also had to give up $603,593 that was found during a search of their home. Eva and Lisa were ordered to pay additional money judgments.
Roberto is awaiting his sentence. The family operation was described as extensive, involving transporting immigrants and using the money they earned for various purposes. The case highlights the ongoing problem of human trafficking in South Texas.
In recent years, there have been several incidents showing the dangers of human trafficking in the region. In March 2023, an immigrant was found dead, and 11 others were trapped in a boxcar near Eagle Pass. In June 2022, 53 migrants were found dead or dying in an overheated tractor-trailer abandoned in San Antonio.
The sentencing of the Galeas-Mejia family members is part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat human trafficking along the Texas border. Agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with local law enforcement, continue to work to dismantle these criminal operations and keep immigrants safe.
“These defendants, along with Roberto Galeas-Mejia, built a family enterprise through human smuggling operations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our federal partners at HSI and Border Patrol, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the Galeas human smuggling business ultimately failed. All five members of the family will serve extensive federal prison sentences, joining many of their co-conspirators after several years of apprehensions and disruption to their efforts.”
“This sentencing is a great example of how HSI uses its agency partnerships to bring criminals to justice in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “The defendants in this case put our national security at risk by illegally bringing people to the U.S. without any inspection. HSI is committed to combatting this type of crime throughout the border.”
Roberto is Eva's husband, Lisa's stepfather, and Sandra's and Norma's brother. The family's job was to transport and harbor immigrants, as well as handling the money and payments for the operation.
“Funds were also used for personal expenses such as vehicle purchases,” a news release on the situation stated. “Over the course of the investigation, Homeland Security Investigations thwarted multiple smuggling loads and arrested numerous co-conspirators and attempted illegal immigrants.
The women accepted and withdrew money from the smuggling events. They used this money to pay drivers, rent stash houses, and cover personal expenses. The operation was uncovered in 2019, and in 2022, Roberto, Eva, and Lisa were found guilty. Sandra snd Norma pleaded guilty.
Eva was sentenced to 180 months in prison, Lisa to 156 months, Sandra to 84 months, and Norma to 78 months. They also had to give up $603,593 that was found during a search of their home. Eva and Lisa were ordered to pay additional money judgments.
Roberto is awaiting his sentence. The family operation was described as extensive, involving transporting immigrants and using the money they earned for various purposes. The case highlights the ongoing problem of human trafficking in South Texas.
In recent years, there have been several incidents showing the dangers of human trafficking in the region. In March 2023, an immigrant was found dead, and 11 others were trapped in a boxcar near Eagle Pass. In June 2022, 53 migrants were found dead or dying in an overheated tractor-trailer abandoned in San Antonio.
The sentencing of the Galeas-Mejia family members is part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat human trafficking along the Texas border. Agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with local law enforcement, continue to work to dismantle these criminal operations and keep immigrants safe.
“These defendants, along with Roberto Galeas-Mejia, built a family enterprise through human smuggling operations,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. “Thanks to our federal partners at HSI and Border Patrol, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, the Galeas human smuggling business ultimately failed. All five members of the family will serve extensive federal prison sentences, joining many of their co-conspirators after several years of apprehensions and disruption to their efforts.”
“This sentencing is a great example of how HSI uses its agency partnerships to bring criminals to justice in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee for HSI San Antonio. “The defendants in this case put our national security at risk by illegally bringing people to the U.S. without any inspection. HSI is committed to combatting this type of crime throughout the border.”
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments