Defendant in smuggling case sentenced to 20 yrs

Friday, February 12, 2010, 02:45 PM

FROM HAYS COUNTY AND U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT:

AUSTIN, Texas — The last defendant in the 2008 Hays County human smuggling case was sentenced on Monday. Rosalinda Trevino, 34, of Staples, Texas was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for her role in conspiracy to harbor aliens and conspiracy to transport aliens. U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) conducted the investigation along with San Marcos Police Department.

The remaining seven people involved in the criminal scheme were sentenced on January 27. Those seven were sentenced for their participation in various criminal schemes related to human smuggling, hostage taking and money laundering.

U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel imposed the following sentences:

Argeo Salgado-Ortega, 31, citizen of Mexico was sentenced to 150-month term of imprisonment; 120 months on the gun charge plus 30 months for brining in and harboring aliens. He also received five year supervised release.

Saul Romero-Salgado, 44, citizen of Mexico was sentenced to 144 months and three years supervised release. Romero-Salgado was convicted of hostage taking and being in possession of a firearm during a commission of a crime.

Julio Cesar Salgado-Ortega, 26, citizen of Mexico was sentenced to 71 months and three years supervised release. He was convicted for harboring and transporting illegal aliens. Fulgencio Loredo-Rubio, 41, citizen of Mexico was sentenced to 63 months with three years of supervised release following his sentence. He was sentenced for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Humberto Alcides Salgado-Ortega aka: Alejandro Ortega-Salgado, 28, citizen of Mexico was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison with three years of supervised release. He convicted of conspiracy to smuggle and harbor aliens.

Sandra Leija, 34, Austin, Texas was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Luz Maria Garcia-Garza, 27, Rio Grande City, Texas was sentenced to 21 months for conspiracy and transporting illegal aliens. Garcia-Garza also received three years supervised release.

The following defendants were sentenced to five years probation for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Juanita Trevino, 54, Staples, Texas, Concepcion Loredo, 25, Austin, Texas, Marisavette Leija, 28, Sugarland, Texas, Wendy Nadine-Adame, 26 and Leticia Miranda, 37 both from San Marcos, Texas.

Randy Rene Contreras, 31, of Maxwell, Texas received three years probation and $1,800 fine for money laundering. Mary Salinas, 62, of San Marcos, Texas received five years probation for her role in harboring illegal aliens. Leslie Denise-Varga, 32, of San Marcos received three years probation for conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Three remain fugitives with outstanding criminal warrants; Mario Alberto-Salgado, Miriam Salgado and Luis Loredo-Rubio.

“This case exemplifies the mission of ICE, which is to combat smuggling and dismantle criminal organizations run by those who exploit our borders with little regard for human life,â€