Federal Criminal Complaint Filed Against Pair For Allegedly Transporting Undocumented Immigrants

In San Antonio this morning, federal authorities filed a criminal complaint charging 31-year-old Javier Silva-Morales, a resident of Monterrey, Mexico, and 25–year-old Jose Abram Lopez-Lozano, a resident of Michoacàn, Mexico, with illegally transporting undocumented aliens announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Monica Mapel.

According to the complaint, the driver, Silva-Morales and his accomplice, Lopez-Lozano, were attempting to transport undocumented aliens yesterday from Falfurrias, TX, to Houston when a Wilson County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Poth, TX.  A vehicle chase ensued.  After losing sight of the vehicle, deputies subsequently discovered several individuals at the end of an open field standing on top of what appeared to be the same vehicle which was now submerged under water.   A total of 12 individuals, including both defendants, were apprehended by sheriff’s deputies with assistance from Texas Department of Public Safety troopers. HSI agents later determined that the twelve were in the United States without proper documentation and placed them under arrest.  A Texas Department of Public Safety dive team dispatched to the scene recovered three bodies from the bottom of the water near the vehicle. 

Upon conviction, the defendants face up to life in federal prison.  Both remain in federal custody at this time.

This criminal complaint resulted from an investigation by HSI, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Christina Playton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government. 

A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.