Four South Texas Residents Plead Guilty in $2 Million Money Laundering Scheme and Human Smuggling Operation

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. South Texas family guilty pleas
2. Multimillion-dollar human smuggling operation

Four South Texas residents from Mission have pleaded guilty this week for their involvement in illegal operations, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. The residents, who are related through blood or marriage, admitted to a conspiracy to launder over $2 million in monetary instruments. Additionally, two of the residents, Luis Enrique Moctezuma-Acosta and Scarlett Fuentes-Gavarrette, were involved in a human smuggling operation. The Department of Justice revealed that the couple ran a sophisticated migrant smuggling network that transported approximately 300 undocumented migrants from Honduras to Boston, Massachusetts. The investigation led to the seizure of over $2.5 million in assets, including cash, luxury vehicles, and jewelry. The residents are facing up to 20 years in federal prison for money laundering and an additional 20 years for human smuggling, along with fines of up to $250,000.

Illegal Operations Unveiled in McALLEN, Texas

Four residents in South Texas have recently pleaded guilty for their involvement in separate but interconnected illegal operations in McALLEN, Texas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas disclosed this information, shedding light on the illicit activities that took place within the community.

Guilty Pleas in Money Laundering Conspiracy

Originally hailing from Mission, these four individuals, who are related by blood or marriage, admitted to being part of a conspiracy to launder over $2 million in monetary instruments. Among them, Luis Enrique Moctezuma-Acosta and Scarlett Fuentes-Gavarrette, both in their thirties, also confessed to their involvement in a human smuggling operation.

A Family Affair

Moctezuma-Acosta and Fuentes-Gavarrette, who are married, were found to be at the helm of a sophisticated migrant smuggling network that spanned several years. Their operations extended from Honduras to as far north as Boston, Massachusetts, transporting around 300 undocumented migrants primarily of Brazilian descent using various means such as commercial aircraft and 18-wheelers.

Seizure of Assets

Following an extensive investigation, federal authorities executed a search warrant in March 2023 at the couple’s properties, resulting in the confiscation of more than $1.5 million in cash. Among the seized assets were a home and a car dealership believed to be a front for their illicit activities. In total, authorities seized over $2.5 million in assets, including luxury vehicles, jewellery, and land.

Legal Ramifications

Elizabeth Acosta, 52, and Keysi Fuentes-Gavarrette, 27, also pleaded guilty to the money laundering charges alongside the married couple. All four individuals are currently in custody awaiting their sentencing on June 6, facing a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison for their involvement in the money laundering scheme. Additionally, Moctezuma-Acosta and Fuentes-Gavarrette could face an extra 20 years for their roles in the human smuggling operation, with potential fines reaching up to $250,000.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the community in McALLEN, Texas, remains shaken by the revelation of these criminal activities orchestrated by individuals within their midst. The impact of these operations on the local and immigrant communities is significant, sparking concerns about the prevalence of such illicit enterprises in the region.