A Guatemalan national living illegally in Houston has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a human smuggling and ransom operation, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Junior Morales-Chutan, 33, pleaded guilty on April 24 to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. U.S. District Judge Alfred H. Bennett ordered Morales-Chutan to serve 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. As he is not a U.S. citizen, Morales-Chutan is expected to face removal proceedings after serving his sentence.
“As this office has pointed out several times before, the human smuggling business is ruthless, inhumane, and sometimes deadly,” said Ganjei. “This case shows how those who make their living smuggling and warehousing human beings have no respect for the safety or dignity of their fellow man. Don’t put your life, or the lives of your loved ones, in their hands. Stay home and stay safe.”
Authorities said Morales-Chutan operated a stash house in Houston where migrants were held after being smuggled into the United States from various countries. Associates used weapons and threats to prevent escape attempts, while Morales-Chutan collected payments related to the scheme.
In one instance in August 2023, a father paid $25,000 for his two children’s transportation from Guatemala but was later told by Morales-Chutan that an additional $32,500 ransom was required for their release. Morales-Chutan threatened that failure to pay would result in turning them over to a cartel.
Law enforcement traced the operation to a residence on Tanager Street in Houston where they found firearms, cash, and ledgers documenting human smuggling activities.
The individuals who had been smuggled were released and identified Morales-Chutan as the person running the stash house. They reported that up to 20 other migrants had been held there at different times.
Morales-Chutan himself had previously been removed from the United States but reentered unlawfully about 18 months before committing these offenses. He will remain in custody until transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Day prosecuted the case.
