A Mexican national, Alejandro Hernandez-Alcudia, was sentenced on Mar. 9 to 70 months in federal prison for his involvement in a human smuggling operation that resulted in the death of a migrant, according to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat human smuggling and related crimes along the southern border. Hernandez-Alcudia pleaded guilty on Nov. 24, 2025, admitting he had worked as a guide for at least three months and took orders from an individual linked to Cartel del Noreste.
According to court records, Hernandez-Alcudia assisted four migrants in crossing the Rio Grande near El Cenizo on Aug. 1, 2025. The group ran out of water after several hours walking through brush with temperatures ranging from 93 to 106 degrees. When one member became ill, Hernandez-Alcudia told him to rest but continued leading the others and later fled when law enforcement approached. Authorities later found the deceased man, a 37-year-old Mexican national who died of heat stroke.
Hernandez-Alcudia is not a U.S. citizen and is expected to face removal proceedings after serving his sentence. He will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Homeland Security Investigations and Border Patrol, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer L. Day.
This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, which aims to eliminate criminal cartels and human trafficking organizations operating within and outside the United States through interagency collaboration.
The Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) also supported this case as part of its mission targeting leaders and organizers of cartels involved in human smuggling throughout the Americas. JTFA’s work has led to more than 440 arrests domestically and internationally, over 390 convictions, more than 330 significant jail sentences imposed, and substantial asset forfeitures.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas has included notable figures such as Alamdar Hamdani and Ryan Patrick among its former leaders according to the official history page. The office operates locations in Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville as described on its official website. It is part of the U.S. Department of Justice under the Attorney General according to its official website, employs more than 200 attorneys covering over nine million people across 43 counties as detailed online, focuses on prosecuting federal crimes and handling civil cases for the government according to its official website, and has had leaders including Alamdar Hamdani serving from 2022 to 2025 as noted on its history page.
