Four Arrested in Human Smuggling Operation in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Four individuals were arrested on February 13 for their alleged involvement in a human smuggling operation, following an investigation by agents from the Ysleta Border Patrol Station.

The operation began when agents conducted surveillance at a local motel and observed a suspicious vehicle equipped with a temporary license plate. The vehicle was previously linked to other hotels associated with housing undocumented noncitizens.

According to court documents, after the driver briefly entered the motel lobby, agents witnessed three individuals leaving a motel room and entering a different vehicle, also displaying a temporary license plate. The driver, identified as Yair Alejandro Aguilar-Flores, admitted to being a Mexican national illegally residing in the United States.

Accompanying Aguilar-Flores were Angel Eduardo Carrillo-Carrillo and Jorge Alfredo Lopez-Acevedo, who also confirmed their undocumented status. They disclosed to agents that additional undocumented migrants were inside the motel room.

Upon further investigation, agents discovered seven more individuals residing in the motel room, all of whom were promptly arrested.

As agents wrapped up their investigation, they observed the driver of the original vehicle returning to the motel. After approached by agents, Jesus David Reyes-Villagran confessed that the motel room was his and that he had just returned from dropping off five additional undocumented migrants at another hotel in El Paso.

Aguilar-Flores, Carrillo-Carrillo, Lopez-Acevedo, and Reyes-Villagran now face charges related to transporting and bringing in migrants illegally. If convicted, they each face potential sentences of up to 10 years in federal prison.

A federal district court judge will determine the final sentences, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.