Federal prosecutors file 200 immigration related criminal cases across Western District of Texas
San Antonio, Texas – Federal prosecutors announced a surge of immigration-related criminal cases targeting individuals accused of human smuggling, illegal re-entry, and serious prior criminal conduct. Authorities say the cases reflect a continued push to disrupt criminal networks and protect communities from repeat offenders.
From Feb. 13 through Feb. 19, federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 200 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases, according to U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. The charges involve alleged human smugglers and individuals who reentered the United States illegally after prior removals and criminal convictions, including sex offenses, violent crimes, drug trafficking, driving while intoxicated, and repeated deportations.
Smuggling Arrests and Border Encounters
Among the new cases, U.S. citizens Arturo Reyes and Anthony Joseph Scalza were arrested west of Tornillo after U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered three undocumented migrants from Guatemala and El Salvador hiding in a pecan orchard. Investigators allege agents obtained consent to search cell phones belonging to the migrants, revealing direct communication with a driver coordinating pickup and transport. According to the complaint, Reyes and Scalza arrived in separate vehicles at the agreed location but instead encountered federal agents. Both men are charged with one count of alien smuggling.
Agents also encountered Guatemalan national Julio Lucas Santos-Santos nearly 11 miles west of the Tornillo Port of Entry. Records indicate he was convicted of first-degree rape in Queens, New York, in February 2023 and removed from the United States in July 2025.
Another Guatemalan national, Edgar Gutierrez-Perez, who had been deported for the fourth time in August 2025, now faces an illegal re-entry charge after being located east of the Fort Hancock Port of Entry. His criminal history includes convictions in Georgia for battery family violence and aggravated assault, and he previously served a federal sentence for illegal re-entry.
Mexican national Angel Eduardo Zamora-Yanez was arrested about a quarter mile west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry. He had been deported eight times, most recently in September 2025. Zamora-Yanez has a 2023 conviction for assaulting a peace officer and prior convictions for improper entry and illegal re-entry.
Arrests Involving Repeat Offenders and Prior Convictions
In Austin, Honduran national Isman Manuel Garcia-Ozorto was identified as a previously removed individual whose last deportation occurred in 2017. His criminal record includes convictions for evading arrest, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault causing bodily injury, drug possession, and improper entry. He now faces a charge of illegal re-entry.
Authorities in San Antonio encountered Honduran national Ever Rivera-Molina at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center following a DWI arrest on Feb. 8. Immigration records showed he had been removed in October 2022. Rivera-Molina was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Mexican national Jose Octavio Medrano-Adame was arrested near Maverick after being deported for the second time in December 2025. He was previously convicted of deadly conduct involving discharge of a firearm.
Cuban national Rolando Portales-Zambrano was arrested near Maverick for illegal re-entry less than a month after being removed from the United States. His record includes felony convictions for smuggling persons, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, and providing false identification information.
Mexican national Audelio Salmeron-Gomez, who has four DWI convictions including one involving a child under 15, was arrested near Terrell for illegal re-entry after his removal in August 2025. His most recent conviction resulted in an eight-year prison sentence and included an assault charge involving a family member.
Mexican national German Ceniceros-Briones, previously deported twice, was arrested near Maverick for illegal re-entry. His criminal record includes drug delivery and possession convictions, along with a prior illegal re-entry conviction.
Authorities also arrested Isaac Sanchez-Enriquez near Maverick. He has been deported four times and has multiple drug trafficking convictions along with repeated immigration offenses.
Multi-Agency Enforcement Effort
These cases were referred or supported by multiple federal partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from state and local law enforcement agencies.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas covers 68 counties spanning nearly 93,000 square miles and serves an estimated population of 7.6 million residents. The district includes San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso and shares 660 miles of border with Mexico.
Officials said the prosecutions are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative focused on combating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
