A man was sentenced to over 16 years in prison for his role in a human smuggling conspiracy involving kidnapping and extortion, prosecutors say.
SAN ANTONIO — A Mexican national with legal permanent resident status has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for his role in an human smuggling conspiracy that included the kidnapping and extortion of a family, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
Officials said Armando Garcia-Martinez, 43, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to harbor undocumented immigrants in a manner that caused serious bodily injury and placed lives in jeopardy. A federal judge sentenced Garcia-Martinez to 195 months in prison.
According to court documents, Garcia-Martinez served as a recruiter for an immigrant smuggling organization that transported undocumented immigrants from Eagle Pass to destinations including San Antonio and Austin.
Prosecutors said Garcia-Martinez was involved in a 2023 smuggling operation in which a family consisting of a man, a pregnant woman and a 7-year-old child was transported from San Antonio to Austin and later held hostage by members of the organization.
Investigators said members of the smuggling organization sexually assaulted the pregnant woman and threatened to kill her child if additional payments were not made. Prosecutors also alleged the group threatened to sell the woman’s unborn baby if their demands were not met.
According to court records, a relative paid at least $1,000 in July 2023 after receiving the threats. Despite the payment, the organization allegedly continued demanding money before releasing the family.
Federal prosecutors said Garcia-Martinez’s broader role within the organization included coordinating the movement of undocumented immigrants to drivers in Eagle Pass, who would then transport them to San Antonio or Austin. Officials say he coordinated an average of two to three smuggling trips per week for other members of the organization.
Garcia-Martinez was indicted in April 2024 and arrested the following month. He pleaded guilty in November 2024, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
Several co-defendants have also been sentenced in connection with the case. Juan Antonio Flores received a 212-month sentence, while Edwin Alfredo Barrientos-Mateo was sentenced to 360 months in prison. Nelson Abilio Castro-Zelaya received a 180-month sentence, Tomas Estrada-Torres was sentenced to 151 months and Rodolfo Daniel De Hoyos received a 170-month sentence.
Three additional co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, according to officials.