McALLEN, Texas - Audencio Reyes-Casas, 61, of Pharr, has been handed an 18-month prison sentence for his conviction on one count of bulk cash smuggling, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson Announced today.

Reyes-Casas pleaded guilty April 2, 2012. According to the criminal complaint, a search of Reyes-Casas at the Hidalgo Port of Entry while he attempted to enter Mexico revealed that he was concealing $21,530 on his person.

Further investigation revealed Reyes-Casas had previously received $190,720 in U.S. currency from an unidentified co-conspirator and planned to smuggle the money into Mexico through a series of crossings. At the time of his arrest, Reyes-Cases had stashed the remaining currency at a residence in Pharr. Reyes-Cases admitted he was to be compensated for delivering the currency to unknown persons in Mexico as proceeds from illicit transactions conducted in the United States.

Today, U.S. District Judge Randy Crane sentenced Reyes-Casas to 18 months confinement and further ordered he forfeit the $190,720 to the United States. 

The investigation was led by agents from Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Grady J. Leupold.