Former member of Texas National Guard convicted of conspiring to smuggle migrants
According to a press release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Mario Sandoval began smuggling people into the country in July 2024 after a deployment with the Texas National Guard as part of Operation Lone Star.
During the one-day trial July 21, agents with ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) presented text messages from Sandoval's phone in which he expressed needing drivers for trips from the Rio Grande Valley to destinations north of immigration checkpoints. Footage was also presented during the trial that showed him at an immigration checkpoint while sending texts about 'law enforcement and K-9 presence.'
Investigators allege that Sandoval's actions were motivated by money.
'His actions directly undermined the very mission he was deployed to support and put his fellow guard members in danger,' Chad Plantz, a special agent with HSI Houston, said.
Sandoval was discharged from the Texas National Guard in October 2024. The 27-year-old's defense argued that there was no conspiracy and that his text messages were taken out of context.
His sentencing is scheduled for October 22, and he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
During a press conference July 2, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said there were 4,200 National Guardsmen on state active duty in support of Operation Lone Star in Texas.
According to the Department of Justice, Sandoval's case is part of Operation Take Back America. The nationwide initiative is geared towards achieving the 'total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations.'
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