SAN ANTONIO – An El Indio man pleaded guilty today to transportation of undocumented non-citizens.
According to court documents, on March 22, 2021, Luis Enrique De La Cerda, 55, was identified as the driver of a tractor trailer traveling through Pearsall. Witnesses reported to law enforcement that multiple body parts were observed sticking out from the rear of the trailer, including the head of a male child. The tractor trailer parked in an abandoned parking lot near the outskirts of town where De La Cerda opened the rear trailer door, allowing multiple individuals to stream out of the trailer. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Pearsall Police Department were at the scene and apprehended De La Cerda. In addition, 69 undocumented non-citizens, including five unaccompanied minors, were detained from the tractor trailer. Many complained of difficulty breathing due to no ventilation and hot temperatures in the trailer.
De La Cerda pleaded guilty today to one count of transporting illegal aliens in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 9, 2022 and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. United States District Judge Jason K. Pulliam will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas and HSI Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden made the announcement.
HSI, with assistance from DPS and the Pearsall Police Department, is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew W. Kinskey is prosecuting the case.
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