CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 49-year-old Falfurrias man has pleaded guilty to escaping from federal custody, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
Juan Luis Cruz admitted he knowingly left federal custody without permission.
Cruz had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens. On Feb. 19. 2019, he was ordered to serve 40 months of imprisonment and three years of federal supervised release. He was transferred to a halfway house Sept. 1, 2021, to complete the sentence.
Upon being transported to the halfway house in Corpus Christ, Cruz absconded by walking away from the facility without permission and did not return. Authorities located him Dec. 22.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos will impose sentencing June 8. At that time, Cruz faces up to five more years in federal prison.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
U.S. Marshals Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Marck is prosecuting the case.