Federal prosecutors have filed charges against 235 individuals in a wide-ranging enforcement surge along the border, including a significant human smuggling case involving dozens of people trapped inside a refrigerated produce truck.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the figures following a week of intense activity from Nov. 21 through Nov. 27. The prosecutions are part of a coordinated effort involving federal and local law enforcement to address illegal entry and dismantle smuggling networks.
The majority of the new cases—146 in total—involve felony reentry by individuals previously removed from the country. According to court filings, many of these defendants have prior criminal records involving narcotics, violent offenses, and other felonies. Another 70 people were charged with illegally entering the U.S., while 17 defendants face specific allegations of human smuggling.
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Smuggling Attempt Thwarted
One of the most concerning cases outlined in the criminal complaints involves Greibein Alexis Pinot-Duarte, a Honduran national stopped near Freer, Texas.
According to prosecutors, Pinot-Duarte was driving a tractor-trailer when he encountered law enforcement. Authorities noted he appeared nervous during the stop, prompting a K-9 inspection. After the dog alerted to the rear of the vehicle, agents opened the trailer to find it refrigerated at 55 degrees.
Inside, 51 undocumented individuals were discovered concealed in a cramped compartment buried beneath boxes of produce. The complaint notes that the people inside had “limited means of escape.” If convicted of the smuggling charges, Pinot-Duarte faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
Significant Criminal Histories
The recent docket also highlights defendants accused of returning to the U.S. after serving prison time for serious crimes.
Authorities apprehended Christian Omar Amezquita-Munoz, a Mexican national, near Donna. Court documents indicate Amezquita-Munoz was previously removed from the U.S. in 2022. Before his deportation, he had served a 100-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute 14 kilograms of cocaine.
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In a separate case near Hidalgo, agents arrested Oscar Enrique Govea-Acuna. His record includes a prior conviction for evading arrest with a vehicle before his removal in 2018.
Due to their prior felony convictions, both men face enhanced penalties and could receive up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of the new reentry charges.
“Operation Take Back America”
These cases were investigated by a coalition of agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Border Patrol, the FBI, the DEA, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
The prosecutions fall under “Operation Take Back America.” The Department of Justice describes the initiative as a full-resource campaign designed to combat transnational criminal organizations and illegal immigration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that under current leadership, the district is prioritizing the removal of individuals engaged in unlawful activity or those with histories of human trafficking and violence.
The Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest federal jurisdictions in the country, covering 43 counties, 44,000 square miles, and a population of more than nine million people.
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