Three Texas Men Sentenced for Deadly, Large-Scale Migrant Smuggling

Several individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for smuggling undocumented immigrants across the U.S. southern border in separate incidents in 2024 and 2025. Sergio Josue Palomera received 71 months after a high-speed chase near Otay Mesa caused a rollover crash that killed two migrants. Richard Rindeikis was sentenced to 10 years for smuggling 25 migrants from multiple countries inside a tanker trailer near Carrizo Springs, Texas. Margarito Llanes was sentenced to 52 months following a high-speed pursuit and crash in Granjeno, Texas, which injured nearly all eight passengers he was transporting; his prior criminal history includes violent offenses and previous smuggling. Law enforcement officials emphasized the extreme dangers and inhumanity of smuggling methods and highlighted their efforts to prevent tragedies. These prosecutions are part of broader initiatives like Operation Take Back America aimed at combating illegal immigration and human smuggling.