McALLEN, Texas – Two men have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a deadly immigrant smuggling conspiracy, US Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced.
Francisco Javier Quintanilla Alcocer, 39, and Brandon Cibriano González, 22, pleaded guilty on March 3 and February 3, respectively, according to a statement.
Federal judge Micaela Álvarez imposed a sentence of 74 months (six years and one month) on González. While Quintanilla Alcocer received 87 months (seven years and two months) for the conspiracy to smuggle aliens, in addition to 24 months for illegally re-entering the United States. Judge Álvarez ordered that the sentences be consecutive, with a cumulative total of 100 months in prison.
Both are expected to face removal proceedings upon their release as both are Mexican.
At the hearing, the court considered additional evidence, such as details of the permanent and life-altering injuries of the survivors in the accident. Judge Álvarez also took into account the previous arrests of Cibriano González as a brush guide and that he tried to bring another group of immigrants to the county less than a month after the accident. In handing down the sentences, Álvarez pointed out Quintanilla Alcocer’s disregard for the well-being of immigrants, emphasizing the effects and damage that his conduct has had on the victims and their families.
Orlando Andrés García, previously admitted his guilt in connection with the plot and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14. He faces life in prison in federal prison and will remain in custody pending a hearing.
“Human traffickers don’t care about anyone’s life but their own, and after leading authorities on a car chase, crashing and rolling a vehicle full of immigrants, Quintanilla Alcocer fled the scene, leaving dead he was transporting. Remember this: human smugglers – they are not welcome in the Southern District of Texas, and this office will continue its efforts to hold these criminals accountable with convictions and long sentences.”
On October 22, 2021, Cibriano González acted as a guide to smuggle a group of 10 non-US citizens from Mexico into the United States. He guided them to a pickup location in Palmview. Quintanilla Alcocer and García arrived there, driving a Chevrolet Impala and a Chevrolet Malibu, respectively. The foreigners and Cibriano González got into the vehicles and left the place. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement attempted a traffic control, but both vehicles failed to yield and a high-speed pursuit ensued, reaching speeds of 130 miles per hour.
Quintanilla Alcocer ended up turning onto a dirt road in Mission, where the Chevrolet Impala rolled over and crashed into the fence. Authorities located seven people at the scene of the accident. Three had been ejected, two of whom died on the spot.
Quintanilla Alcocer was not located at the time. However, evidence found in the vehicle led law enforcement to it. Phone records also indicated that Quintanilla Alcocer and Garcia had been in constant communication during the high-speed chase. During these conversations, García instructed Quintanilla Alcocer to go faster.
Three months after the accident, a third immigrant succumbed to his injuries.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Palmview Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant federal prosecutors Lee Fry and Devin Walker handled the case.
