JULY 20, 2023BROWNSVILLE, TXHUMAN SMUGGLING/TRAFFICKING
Mexican citizen sentenced for human smuggling resulting in death of child following HSI investigation
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A federal judge sentenced Miguel Angel Ceballos-Acuna, 30, a Mexican citizen residing illegally in the United States, to federal prison following his conviction of attempted human smuggling resulting in the death of a child. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Border Patrol, the Brownsville Police Department and the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case.
U.S. District Judge Roland Olvera sentenced Ceballos-Acuna to 57 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the seriousness of Ceballos-Acuna’s crime and the need to deter him and others from engaging in similar conduct. Ceballos-Acuna pleaded guilty March 7.
“The tragic loss of life in this case is an example of the very real risks people face when they put their lives in the hands of smugglers,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “Those responsible for illegally moving people through our country place personal profit ahead of public safety. Driven by greed, these criminals have little regard for the health and well-being of those they smuggle. This callousness too often leads to tragic outcomes.”
“Take note: Human smugglers do not care about your child’s safety,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. “All they care about is money. In this case, a young boy tragically lost his life due to the reckless actions of this criminal. The Southern District of Texas is committed to the vigorous prosecution of those who traffic in human lives and the pursuit of justice for all victims — many of them young children.”
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/mexican-citizen-sentenced-human-smuggling-resulting-death-child-following-hsi
