Houston Republic

Three more individuals have been detained in connection with a human smuggling conspiracy that led to the death of an undocumented person in July, as announced by U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. The recent arrests include Mexican national David Alejandro Gomez Flores, 28, and Laredo residents Dagoberto Mizzael Flores, 24, and Angel Misael Elias, 22. They are scheduled for their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos.

A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on October 29. Previously charged were Guatemalan national Edy Ronaldo Lima Flores, 36, and Mexican nationals Cynthia Gabriela Muniz Carreon, 29, and Martha Angelica Limon Parra, 29.

According to the charges filed on July 2, authorities discovered a group of undocumented immigrants entering a Ford-150 near a ranch in Laredo. A pursuit ensued until the vehicle stopped abruptly and its occupants fled into nearby brushland. Law enforcement apprehended one female identified as an undocumented individual from Guatemala.

Authorities also found the body of a deceased male believed to be an undocumented Guatemalan national involved in the incident. Further investigation revealed communications between the victim and both Lima Flores and Carreon prior to his death.

The investigation uncovered ledgers and messages on Parra's cell phone linking her to the same smuggling organization involved in this event. These communications reportedly dated back to April 2024 and referenced other smuggling incidents resulting in serious injury.

All six defendants face charges including conspiracy to smuggle an undocumented alien resulting in death and two substantive counts. Convictions could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty along with fines up to $250,000.

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) led this investigation involving multiple agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol among others. OCDETF aims to dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening U.S security through collaborative efforts.

Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), established by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in June 2021, played a significant role in coordinating resources against human smuggling networks across several countries including Mexico and Guatemala. JTFA has achieved over 325 domestic and international arrests related to human smuggling since its inception.

Assistant U.S Attorney Jennifer Day is handling prosecution for this case.

It is important to note that an indictment represents only formal accusations without serving as evidence; defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty under due legal processes.