A Brownsville man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport more than 100 undocumented immigrants, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Christian Ivan Hernandez, 30, pleaded guilty on May 19. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos ordered him to serve 60 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. During the sentencing hearing, the court reviewed Hernandez’s criminal history, which includes previous convictions for transporting illegal aliens in 2018 and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens in 2019.
The court heard that between May 1 and July 21, 2024, Hernandez helped smuggle approximately 107 people hidden in the cargo areas of three separate tractor trailers and another ten found in the cabs of those vehicles. Judge Ramos commented on the sentence by saying his past smuggling offenses carry consequences but believes he can move past them.
Hernandez admitted that he contacted Carlos Josue Cruz-Rivas in early May 2024 and asked him to pick up several undocumented immigrants at a warehouse in McAllen. Authorities later arrested Cruz-Rivas while attempting to transport 36 people found in his utility trailer and six others located in the sleeper portion of the cab.
Also that month, David Vargas-Muniz was arrested after trying to smuggle 46 individuals inside a tractor trailer through Brooks County. According to authorities, Hernandez met Vargas-Muniz at the location and told him not to stop because there were people hidden inside his trailer.
On July 21, law enforcement arrested Mendez-Hernandez following an attempt to move 25 people concealed in a utility trailer and four more inside the cab of a tractor.
Investigators determined that Hernandez organized the overall conspiracy and operated three stash houses around McAllen.
Hernandez remains in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
Cruz-Rivas, who is originally from Honduras but lived illegally in Brawley, California; Vargas-Muniz from Waxahachie; and Mendez-Hernandez from Santa Maria, California have all pleaded guilty for their involvement and have been sentenced as well.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation with support from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Young Min Burkett prosecuted the case.
