An El Paso federal jury has handed down a conviction to Marcel Eliezer Zapata-Colmenarez, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national, on charges related to harboring illegal immigrants in his apartment. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas, evidence at the trial showed that when U.S. Border Patrol and other federal agents arrived at Zapata-Colmenarez's home on January 30, they discovered signs indicating the residence was used for smuggling operations.
Zapata-Colmenarez gave the agents permission to enter and search the premises, where they found clothes scattered on the floor and wet, muddy clothing in the closet, these details suggesting use of the apartment for harboring individuals who had crossed the border illegally. Further inspection of Zapata-Colmenarez's cell phone, which he also consented to, revealed ‘proof-of-life’ videos. These are videos that undocumented individuals send to affirm their safe passage by smugglers. In addition to the physical evidence, Zapata-Colmenarez acknowledged receiving payment for each person he sheltered, totaling $50 per individual. He was taken into custody on the same day and later indicted on February 26.
The case falls under “Operation Take Back America,” a broad-reaching initiative by the Department of Justice that seeks to curb illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The program is designed to concentrate efforts and resources from initiatives like the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons announced the conviction, highlighting the collaboration between the U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations in bringing Zapata-Colmenarez to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Wisniewski and Mathew Engelbaum, led the prosecution. Zapata-Colmenarez now faces a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison, and fines reaching $250,000. His sentencing is set for August 26, 2025.
