Repeat smuggler imprisoned for 46 months for conspiracy to transport over two dozen people in refrigerated container

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A 35-year-old La Villa resident has been sentenced for conspiring to transport 27 illegal aliens, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Reynaldo Del Castillo pleaded guilty March 26.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Del Castillo to serve 46 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by two years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional evidence that described the dangerous conditions in which the aliens were transported. In handing down the sentence, the court noted his prior convictions for bulk cash smuggling and transportation of illegal aliens. He was also on supervised release when he committed the present crime.

"Any person who endangers lives by engaging in human smuggling deserves a serious sentence. Any person who smuggles people more than once is telling his fellow citizens that he has no regard for human life," said Ganjei. "Here, a single technological malfunction could have cost the lives of 24 people, including two children. The Southern District of Texas is working hard to either put these smugglers out of business, or put them in prison. The choice is theirs."

On Jan. 5, Del Castillo was driving a tractor hauling a white refrigerated trailer and approached the Falfurrias Border Patrol checkpoint. Upon questioning, he claimed he was transporting limes. A K-9 alerted to the trailer, and authorities noted Del Castillo's nervous behavior then referred him to secondary inspection.

Law enforcement ultimately discovered 27 illegal aliens laying on top of produce pallets in the refrigerated trailer. The temperature was set at approximately 50 degrees. Two of the aliens were minors.

Del Castillo will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Izaak Bruce prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.