A 20-year-old man from Bryan, Texas, has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for his role in a scheme to smuggle undocumented immigrants into the United States. Alexzander JM Bisbee was handed a 27-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to transport illegal aliens, placing lives in jeopardy, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.
The case unfolded on July 3, 2024, when a U.S. Border Patrol agent attempted to stop an SUV on U.S. Route 377. The report states that Mark Anthony Sanchez, Jr., the driver, temporarily paused to let three undocumented noncitizens exit the vehicle and flee. Instead of surrendering, Sanchez then sped away, prompting a pursuit that was subsequently abandoned for safety reasons, the U.S. Attorney's Office disclosed. Despite these efforts, Sanchez, accompanied by Bisbee, was later apprehended by the Sonora Police Department after being stopped for speeding.
A lawful search of their vehicle revealed two 9mm semiautomatic pistols, one resembling an AR–15–style pistol. Following the initial encounter, two of the undocumented noncitizens who had fled were located and detained. During the investigation, Bisbee admitted an unindicted coconspirator contacted him via Instagram, offering $2,000 per person for the transportation of undocumented individuals. This confession came notwithstanding Bisbee's status as a convicted felon due to a previous burglary conviction.
Bisbee entered his guilty plea on November 20, 2024, while Sanchez followed suit on December 18. Sanchez's sentencing is on the docket for May 13, "Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement," referencing the legal proceedings. The Border Patrol led the investigation, with support from local enforcement agencies including the Sutton County Sheriff’s Office and Sonora Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jayvee Rhoda, and Joshua Banister were the prosecutors handling the case.
