Three individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a human smuggling operation that resulted in the death of a Guatemalan man and other dangerous incidents, Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck announced on Apr. 23.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address transnational criminal organizations operating along the southern border. The case underscores the risks posed by human smuggling networks and their impact on public safety.
Dagoberto Mizzael Flores of Laredo, Texas, received a 60-month prison sentence, while Mexican nationals David Alejandro Gomez-Flores and Martha Angelica Limon Parra were sentenced to 240 months and 135 months respectively for conspiracy to transport an illegal alien causing serious bodily injury and resulting in death. U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed the sentences, noting the extensive nature of the operation involving thousands of aliens and describing each defendant’s “reckless disregard for human life.” Both Gomez-Flores and Parra are expected to face removal proceedings after serving their sentences; Flores will serve three years of supervised release following imprisonment.
The organization generated about $79,000 from smuggling activities in just one week. Evidence presented at trial showed that Mexico-based coordinators used WhatsApp group chats titled “La Oficina” to coordinate operations using detailed ledgers and spreadsheets. Smuggled individuals were often instructed to falsely claim Mexican nationality so they could be quickly removed to Mexico instead of their home countries, making it easier for smugglers to re-enter them into the United States.
On July 2, 2024, Flores attempted to evade authorities during a traffic stop while transporting migrants; one Guatemalan national later died from heat exhaustion after being told by organizers via text message to stay hidden despite extreme temperatures reaching 100 degrees that day. Additional incidents linked to this organization included injuries during crossings through rough terrain as well as a rollover crash near Laredo resulting in serious injuries.
Gomez-Flores was identified as having ties with Los Fantasmas gang connected with Cartel del Noreste, responsible for receiving migrants from Mexico and harboring them illegally since at least 2022—a role for which he received over $330,000.
This prosecution is part of broader initiatives including Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) South Texas—established under Executive Order 14159—and Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), both focused on dismantling criminal cartels involved in smuggling across international borders. JTFA’s work has led to more than 455 arrests domestically and internationally related to alien smuggling or trafficking according to official sources.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas employs more than 200 attorneys covering over nine million residents across its offices located in Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville according to its official website. The office is part of the Department of Justice under the Attorney General according to its official website, focusing on prosecuting federal crimes and handling civil cases involving government interests according to its official website.
Leadership at this office has included notable figures such as Alamdar Hamdani (2022–2025) and Ryan Patrick as noted on its history page.
