A naturalized United States citizen, arrested five months ago for human smuggling, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Gainesville to charges of transporting illegal aliens for financial gain.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia released information Tuesday that Hector Escobedo-Reyna, 62, of Houston, Texas, entered the plea on May 9, 2019.
Escobedo-Reyna was arrested on Dec. 28, 2018 after he was pulled over during a routine traffic stop on I-85 in Jackson County, according to U.S. Attorney BJay Pak. Pak said there were 10 undocumented persons, including one minor, in the 2004 Chevrolet Suburban at the time.
"Human smugglers carry out their illegal activities seeking financial gain with little regard for human life and no respect for our laws," said Pak in a press statement. "Additionally, they endanger not only the people they smuggle, but innocent motorists, when an over-loaded vehicle like the one he was driving either has an accident or causes one."
Homeland Security Investigations-Atlanta and the Georgia State Patrol assisted with the investigation following Escobedo-Reyna's arrest.
"Identifying and stopping criminal networks that engage in cross-border human smuggling as well as individuals who seek to illegally enter the U.S. is a priority focus for Homeland Security Investigations," said HSI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan. “These criminal organizations have no regard for the well-being of the people they attempt to smuggle, who are often put at great risk during an attempt to illegally enter the U.S., and HSI will continue to work collaboratively with our federal, state and local partners to investigate and prosecute such activity."
"As an assisting agency, the Georgia State Patrol takes pride in being a part of any investigation in which criminals are removed from our roadways. It is a reminder that what some may call a ‘routine’ traffic stop, often leads to more than a traffic citation," said SFC Stephanie Stallings, Director of Public Information for the Georgia State Patrol.
Escobedo-Reyna was indicted Feb. 9, 2019 "for the offense of knowing, and recklessly disregarding the fact, that aliens had come to, entered, and remained in the United States in violation of law, and of transporting and moving the aliens within the United States by means of transportation and otherwise, for the purpose of financial gain."
The investigation revealed the suspect had crossed the United States border with Mexico and traveled through Houston and into Atlanta. Investigators said the suspect intended to transport and deliver the 10 passengers to other cities along the East Coast.
The press statement did not indicate when Escobedo-Reyna is scheduled for sentencing.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2019/5/798755/suspect-pleads-guilty-to-human-smuggling-case-in-federal-court-in-gainesville