07/19/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/19/2021 17:56
Federal Prosecutors in Big Bend Area Battle Human Smuggling and Illegal Reentry
ALPINE - Federal prosecutors have secured indictments against 89 defendants this month in cases involving human smuggling, illegal reentry into the U.S., and drug trafficking. Our Assistant U.S. Attorneys in Alpine work exceptionally hard to help protect our West Texas border communities from crime occurring in this remote transnational corridor, said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. The incredible caseload demonstrates our commitment to vigorously enforcing the law alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.
Of the 89 defendants charged, two dozen are charged with human smuggling. Sixty-seven are charged with illegally reentering the U.S. after having previously been deported. Some of these defendants have prior convictions in the U.S. for serious offenses, including rape, lewd and lascivious acts with child