Two go to prison in human smuggling cases

By Marc Robertson - Editor | July 7, 2026

Israel Salas

Two men have been sentenced to prison time for eight and ten years by District Judge Jennifer Dillingham for their role in separate human smuggling operations that were intercepted by law enforcement officers in La Salle County.

The district judge has sentenced 22-year-old Israel Salas to ten years in prison in a 2024 case in which the defendant attempted evading capture by leading officers in a high-speed chase and was found to have hidden several undocumented immigrants in his vehicle. His multiple felony charges included smuggling of persons with a likelihood of serious bodily injury or death.

Salas pleaded guilty in an April pre-trial hearing and elected to have the court assess his punishment on June 17.

In a brief statement this week on the sentencing, District Attorney Audrey Louis said the case developed on August 3, 2024, when Texas Highway Patrol troopers were notified by the US Border Patrol that a driver traveling north into La Salle County had refused to stop for an immigration inspection at the USBP’s Laredo checkpoint and had eluded agents at Milemarker 32 near Encinal.

Highway Patrol troopers spotted Salas’ pickup truck more than 25 miles further north on the interstate and noted that the vehicle appeared to be traveling on the roadside shoulder. Troopers initiated a traffic stop but the driver accelerated from the scene at speed for several miles before he was finally brought to a halt.

Salas was identified as the driver and was found to have concealed 11 undocumented immigrants from Guatemala and Mexico in the vehicle. Several of Salas’ passengers were hidden under orange traffic barrels in the bed of the truck, DA Louis said, “creating an extremely dangerous situation that placed their lives at risk.”

The district attorney is extending thanks to DPS Trooper Ruben Garza “for his outstanding investigation and professionalism throughout this case.”

Jesus Garcia Jr.

“We also recognize Community Supervision Officer Andrew Flores, who prepared a thorough pre-sentence investigation report that assisted the court in reaching an informed sentencing decision,” the DA said, “and Border Prosecution Unit Assistant DA Catherine Schneider for her professionalism in prosecuting the case.”

Judge Dillingham also handed down an eight-year sentence for 53-year-old Jesus Garcia Jr. on Wednesday, June 17, after the defendant pleaded guilty in an April hearing to felony charges of human smuggling and likewise elected to have his punishment assessed by the court rather than a jury.

The case report on Garcia shows that Encinal police officers intercepted Garcia on November 30, 2023, when he was driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck north through La Salle County and committed a traffic violation. After initiating a traffic stop, officers discovered the suspect had disguised the vehicle as an oilfield utility truck by displaying a fictitious fleet number.

During a subsequent roadside investigation, officers found seven undocumented immigrants concealed in the vehicle, including a 14-year-old girl who was traveling without any relatives present. Garcia was read his rights and reportedly admitted he was being paid to smuggle the individuals.

At the time of his sentencing last month, Garcia testified that he had been under the influence of the prescription drug Xanax, had “blacked out” while driving, and claimed he did not remember picking up the undocumented individuals.

Garcia had a prior federal conviction out of Laredo for conspiracy to transport undocumented aliens within the United States and had previously served a federal prison sentence.

DA Louis is extending her thanks this week to Border Prosecution Unit ADA Schneider and Encinal Police Officer Natalie Joliet for her investigation and dedication to the case. The DA also recognized Community

Supervision Officer Lara Tristan for preparing a thorough pre-sentence investigation report that assisted the court in determining the sentence.

“Human smuggling is not a victimless crime,” Louis said. “The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding human smugglers accountable and protecting the safety of our communities.”