A Mexican national has been sentenced to nearly eight years in federal prison in what’s part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration. Victor Ubaldo Hernandez-Ortega, 33, of Durango, Mexico, was given a 97-month prison term for his role in transporting undocumented immigrants, confirmed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas.
Hernandez-Ortega operated as a load driver for a known human smuggler, receiving payment ranging from $100 to $500 per person for transporting illegal aliens across El Paso, Texas, and to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Further information obtained by the Justice Department details that he was also involved in managing two stash houses, through which more than 200 illegal aliens were harbored. Despite being granted voluntary departures previously, most recently on June 9, 2024, Hernandez-Ortega was back in custody by August 21, 2024.
Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman underscored the significance of the sentence by stating, “These cases are 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.”
Investigated by Homeland Security Investigations along with the U.S. Border Patrol, this case falls under the robust umbrella of Operation Take Back America's mandate to repel the so-called "invasion" of illegal immigration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Dearden led the prosecution efforts, aiming for the total elimination of criminal enterprises that threaten national security and public safety. The implicated Mexican national, Hernandez-Ortega, entered a guilty plea on December 20, 2024, swiftly bringing the case to a resolution with his recent sentencing.
