A federal Texas court sentenced a 27-year-old Pharr resident to eight years in federal prison for participating in a migrant trafficking plan. Authorities believe that thousands of migrants could have been transported into the interior United States.
Alamdar S. Hamdani has announced the sentence for Anthony Lenard Williams. Williams confessed to conspiring in April to transport undocumented migrants.
U.S. Hamdani said that Williams was responsible for smuggling 560 illegal immigrants and bringing them into the country.
Texas is the most dangerous state for smuggling migrants. In 2022, 53 migrants were killed by heat exhaustion and lack of oxygen in a trailer.
In the summer of 2021, law enforcement officials began an investigation to identify the person responsible for smuggling undocumented immigrants into tractor-trailers.
Hernandez, of Donna, Texas was sentenced in 2009 to nine years in federal prison for his role within the migrant-smuggling group. Investigators said Hernandez held a higher position in the organization.
Williams has been released on bond, after pleading guilty and awaiting sentencing. Williams is in custody until he is transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons institution that will be announced soon.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated with the assistance of the U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara J. De Peña prosecuted the case.
