Weekly harboring of aliens lands Mexican man in prison

McALLEN, Texas – A 37-year-old Mexican citizen has been ordered to prison following his conviction of harboring aliens within the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Juan Garcia-Garcia pleaded guilty Sept. 3, 2019.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez ordered him to serve a 108-month term of imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted her concern that Garcia-Garcia is in the country illegally and chose to violate the law and engage in criminal conduct. Judge Alvarez said there was no excuse for his actions and that he needed to set a better example for his son. Not a U.S. citizen, Garcia-Garcia is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.

On June 10, 2019, law enforcement approached a suspected stash house in Edinburg where they encountered Garcia-Garcia. He admitted to being the owner of the residence. A search of the trailer led to the discovery of 37 undocumented aliens. Authorities also found three firearms and three ledgers containing over 100 names.

Garcia-Garcia admitted to harboring 14 to 21 undocumented aliens per week since February 2019. He was paid $50 per undocumented alien and was responsible for providing food and water.

Garcia-Garcia has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Alexis Garcia prosecuted the case.